Saturday, July 26, 2003, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

China refuses to recognise Arunachal
Beijing, July 25 Saying that it has not recognised Arunachal Pradesh as part of India, China today alleged that “Indian people” crossed the eastern sector of the Line of Actual Control in the north-eastern state and not its forces as claimed by New Delhi. Editorial: Significance of PM’s China visit	Delhi treads carefully New Delhi, July 25 India today downplayed the June 26 transgression of the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh by Chinese troops despite an acidic reaction from the Chinese Foreign Office as External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha told the Lok Sabha that “such isolated incidents can occur sporadically”.

SC notice to Centre on HPCL, BPCL selloff
New Delhi, July 25
The Centre’s decision to offload its equity in public sector oil companies — Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd — was today challenged in the Supreme Court on the ground that the disinvestment in a crucial sector like this could not be done without the approval of Parliament.

The police tries to push back activists of the All-India Progressive Women’s Association during their demonstration on the Women’s Reservation Bill at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Friday.  — PTI

George boycott issue back to square one
New Delhi, July 25
The peace initiative of the two presiding officers of Parliament to end the logjam on the two-year Opposition boycott of Defence Minister George Fernandes went for a six today as the government turned down the Congress’ demand for a discussion in both Houses of Parliament.

Editorial: Pointless boycott

BJP slams Sonia on Ayodhya
New Delhi, July 25
The BJP today took strong exception to Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s statement that her party would continue to press for punishing the culprits of Babri mosque demolition inside and outside Parliament.

PSEB detects 106 illegal farm connections
Amritsar, July 25
A high-level inquiry has detected 106 illegal agriculture power connections in the Majitha sub-division alone as fake connections given by Punjab State Electricity Board officials came to light.

MiG-21: pilots’ families seek President’s intervention
Mumbai, July 25
Members of families of pilots killed in MiG-21 crashes have sought an appointment with President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to request his intervention in the issue of the frequent crashes of these fighter planes and prevent further loss of lives.

Badal’s ancestral house raided
Nothing incriminating found; brother’s place also raided
Badal (Muktsar), July 25
Continuing its campaign against former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, the Vigilance Bureau officials today carried out search of his ancestral house here after securing a search warrant from a Kharar court in a case registered against Mr Badal, members of his family and other associates under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Vigilance official, IB sleuth in verbal duel

Dog sentenced to death! Purnea (Bihar), July 25 Every dog has his day. But Chhotu awaits his doomsday! The people of a locality bayed for his blood, claiming that Chhotu had bitten 50 of their fellow human beings and the SDO, Mr Jitendra Prasad, pronounced the death sentence on him on July 15. Chhotu, sentenced to death for biting, with his owner Janaki Devi. — PTI photo