PM rules out China-type talks on Kashmir
Says Pak must stop cross-border terrorism
New Delhi, September 6
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today shot down Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri’s proposal for having a China-type institutionalised mechanism of Special Representatives-level talks for resolution of the Kashmir dispute. The government’s decision was conveyed by the Prime Minister to Mr Kasuri who called on him at 7, Race Course Road this evening.

Natwar to visit Islamabad
New Delhi, September 6
External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh will visit Pakistan again. At a press conference with his counterpart Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, he said the Pakistani minister had extended him an invitation to visit Islamabad.

India offers diesel to Pakistan via Jalandhar
New Delhi, September 6
India today offered to supply diesel to Pakistan by laying a pipeline from Jalandhar to Lahore and in assisting Islamabad in setting up CNG infrastructure. Pakistan is currently importing diesel from Kuwait.

Amritsar-Lahore bus service to start soon
New Delhi, September 6
After two-day talks between External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, the leaders announced that a `Special Day’ bus-service will be operated between Amritsar and Lahore for visits to religious places there like Nankana Sahib on special occasions.

Uma Bharti released; case withdrawn
Hubli, September 6
In a major relief for her, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti was today discharged by a court here in a 10-year old criminal case and ordered to be set free.
In video (28k, 56k)

Nation page:
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Notice to Taslimuddin; SC stays proceedings in Bihar court
New Delhi, September 6
In a blow to the UPA government on “tainted” ministers issue, the Supreme Court today stayed proceedings in the Araria court on the Bihar Government’s plea for withdrawing a criminal case against Union minister Mohd Taslimuddin, saying the Magistrate concerned had shown “mortal hurry” in staying the arrest warrant against him.

SC notices on promises to Kargil martyrs’ families
New Delhi, September 6
The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Defence and Petroleum Ministries on a petition alleging that many families of Kargil war martyrs had not yet been provided with the promised welfare schemes by the government.

6.1 pc decline in Sikh population
New Delhi, September 6
The first-ever ‘Census report on religion’ released by the Census Commission of India today showed a “high growth” of Muslims at 36 per cent during the decade 1991-2001 in sharp contrast to the 20.3 per cent growth rate of Hindu population during the same period.
(Detailed report on Nation page)