Stop terror influx, India tells Pak
New Delhi, August 11
The Home Secretaries of India and Pakistan today concluded their two-day talks in Islamabad with a joint press statement expressing the two sides’ reaffirmation of their determination to combat terrorism, but there was no assurance from the Pakistani side that their continued aid to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir would end.
Michael Krepon's views on Indo-Pak talks. (28k, 56k)

Special article: Pakistan’s ‘strategic depth’ idea
World page: Pak to release 449 Indian prisoners

Sports page: India can win hockey medal, say ex-Olympians Veterans defy march of time to seek glory Athens yet to buzz with excitement Members of the Indian hockey team practice their shots during a training session in Athens on Wednesday. The Athens 2004 Olympic Games will officially open on August 13. — Reuters photo

Flood scare continues to stalk 56 villages
Shimla, August 11
The flood scare in 56 villages located along the banks of the Sutlej continued unabated with the Chinese authorities maintaining that the next 48 hours could be crucial as the water level in the lake formed in Tibet due to blocking of the Parechu was still rising.
Himachal Pradesh shuts Nathpa Jhakri hydel project fearing breach in Tibetan lake. (28k, 56k)

Himachal page:
Manikaran faces flood threat
Control room set up to help people

10 die in bus mishap near Kulu

Survey of India estimates size of Tibet lake
New Delhi, August 11
Based on satellite images and earlier topographical information on Tibet, Survey of India has not only estimated the dimensions of the lake on Parechu tributary of Satluj but also the size of the landslide that has created the lake.

Talks yet to resume on hostage crisis
New Delhi, August 11
There was no sign of any resolution of the Iraq hostage crisis which entered the 23rd day today even as the Crisis Management Group continued to have meetings throughout the day.

Centre open to withdrawal of forces from Manipur
New Delhi, August 11
In an apparent move to defuse the tension prevailing in Manipur, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today said the Centre was “open” to withdrawal of the Assam Rifles from the hill state.

Dr Samra arrested
Jalandhar, August 11
On a complaint filed by AIG Varinder Kumar, the Jalandhar police today arrested Dr Amarjit Singh Samra for doctoring a photograph in which the former was shown to be dancing with some girls.

Dhanonjoy’s last bid to escape gallows
Moves SC yet again; hearing today
New Delhi, August 11
Foreseeing imminent hanging on August 14 after rejection of his clemency petition by the President, Kolkata’s condemned prisoner Dhanonjoy Chatterjee, in a desperate last-minute bid, today knocked the doors of the Supreme Court for the fifth time, seeking a stay on his execution for the rape and murder of a schoolgirl 14 years ago.

Nation page: Access refused to Dhananjoy, says counsel