PM offers to resolve Kashmir through talks

Amritsar, March 26 Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee today called for an era of peace and cooperation between the neighbouring countries and offered to resolve all issues including the Kashmir problem through bilateral dialogue. Mr Parkash Singh Badal presents a shawl to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at a public meeting in Amritsar on Friday. —Tribune photo by Karam Singh

Crucial talks between Hurriyat, Centre today
New Delhi, March 26
The crucial second round of talks between Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani and Hurriyat Conference leaders are scheduled here tomorrow in which the Centre is expected to seek Hurriyat’s cooperation in the smooth conduct of the coming Lok Sabha polls in the valley.

3 IAS officers to be detained in civil prison for 3 months
Chandigarh/Sangrur, March 26
Three IAS officers, one of whom has already retired, were today ordered to surrender themselves within 15 days for detention in civil prison for three months for disobeying the orders of the District Judge, Sangrur.

Kozhikode IIM accepts fee cut
Kozhikode, March 26
In a significant development, the Indian Institute of Management (Kozhikode) today unanimously decided to reduce its annual fee from the existing Rs 1 lakh to Rs 30,000 in line with Union Human Resources Development Ministry directive.

8 detained for Tagore medal theft
Kolkata, March 26
Eight persons have been detained so far in connection with the theft of Rabindranath Tagore’s Nobel Prize and other valuable belongings from Vishva Bharati, official sources said today.

Editorial: Stealing the past
Middle: Medals — stolen and otherwise

Tohra’s condition improves
Amritsar, March 26
Even as the condition of Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, President, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, was showing signs of improvement, a team of doctors at the Escorts Heart and Superspeciality Institute here feels that he continues to be critical.

Punjab page
Here everyone is praying for Tohra’s well-being

Sonia’s foreign origin not an issue, says Pawar
NCP manifesto promises fixed term for Lok Sabha
New Delhi, March 26
Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar today said the foreign origin of Congress President Sonia Gandhi was not an issue for his party in the coming Lok Sabha poll as the Congress itself had stated that the leader of the alliance partners would be chosen after the elections.

Kumar Bangarappa rejoins Congress
Sinha files papers

Fresh charges against Hindujas
New Delhi, March 26
The Delhi Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) today framed fresh charges against three Europe-based Hinduja brothers in the Rs 64 crore Bofors pay-off case after quashing of the corruption charges by the Delhi High Court recently.

Al-Qaida hunt: military toll reaches 54
Wana (Pakistan), March 26
At least 54 soldiers have been killed and another 20 are missing as a military operation against Al-Qaida suspects and rebel tribesmen near the Afghan border dragged into 11th day today, a security official said.