Laloo’s absence sparks din
Lok Sabha adjourned
New Delhi, December 15
It was an embarrassment the UPA government could have done without as the Opposition, led by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in his vintage best, today demanded in the Lok Sabha a statement from Railway Minister Laloo Prasad on yesterday’s train accident in Punjab.

Government defends Laloo
Oppn walkout over Cabinet minister’s absence in RS
Rail mishap probe begins tomorrow
Punjab gives Rs 10 lakh grant to Mansar village
Editorial: Lessons to learn
Punjab page: Driver applied emergency brakes, but it was too late

2 station masters absconding
Token system not working; train services resumed
Mukerian, December 15
It was the communication of ‘double four’ message between the station masters of Mirthal and Bhangala railway stations that led to the tragic rail accident yesterday.

In video (28k, 56k) Mangled remains of the damaged coaches of two trains lie on either side as a train runs on the track near Mukerian on Wednesday.  — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

4 killed as train rams into van
Chennai, December 15
Four pilgrims were killed and 10 injured when a speeding train rammed into a van at an unmanned level crossing near Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu today, railway sources said.

Nod to Bill for equal rights to daughters
New Delhi, December 15
To protect the rights of Hindu daughters’ property, the Union Cabinet today gave clearance to the “Hindu Succession Act (Amendment) Bill” that brings them on par with sons to inherit the family property.
(Details on Nation page)

Hijackers demand to be flown to Russia
Gerakas, December 15
A bus with 25 persons on board was hijacked early today in an Athens suburb by two armed men demanding to be flown back to Russia, police and government officials said.

Bus hijackers demand $ 1m as ransom

ULFA chief ‘not sincere’ on talks with Centre
New Delhi, December 15
The United Liberation Front of Assam chief Paresh Baruah does not appear to be “sincere” to hold talks with the Centre or he is under pressure from “external agencies” not to do so despite offer of unconditional talks by the Centre.

Accident leaves minor children orphaned Dasuya/Mukerian, December 15 Never had 50-year-old Bijuria, a labourer from Sidh district in Madhya Pradesh, imagined that the family she had brought to Mukerian to earn a better livelihood would meet such a tragic end. She lost her daughter, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. Arun Baldeep  Komal