Cold tightens grip on north
Several highways closed in HP, J&K
Shimla/Srinagar/Chandigarh,  January 22
The cold wave tightened its grip on northern India as heavy snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh and widespread rain in the plains sent shivers down the region.

Snowfall in Kasauli
Heavy snowfall in Manali, no avalanche threat
Widespread rain brings relief to farmers in region
Vaishno Devi receives snowfall
Chandigarh page: Kasauli beckons city residents

North India reels under fresh bout of cold wave.  (28k, 56k) Tourists enjoy the snowfall at Kasauli on Saturday.  — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

Ministers should quit after poll announcement is made: CEC
New Delhi, January 22
In a far-reaching suggestion, the Chief Election Commissioner and one of the well-known votaries of electoral reforms T.S. Krishnamurthy today said that all the ministers, except a two or three holding important portfolios in each state, should resign as soon as the announcement for Assembly elections is made.

Perspective: Anti-Laloo sentiment strong in Bihar, says Arun Jaitley
Opinions page: Democracy a bad word in Bihar
Nation: Furnish proof of criminals operating from jails: SC
Chautala’s brother joins Congress
Haryana page: INLD to move CEC against DC’s transfer
Ban pre-poll surveys, says Ajay Chautala
Post-poll pact unlikely: Sushma
Election page: Paswan’s LJP promises crime-free Bihar
It’s all about three Es

Chidambaram holds talks for ‘Aam Aadmi’ Budget
New Delhi, January 22
In an effort to upstage the Left parties and project the Congress as the chief driver of the implementation of the UPA government’s common minimum programme (CMP), senior party office-bearers today urged Finance Minister P. Chidambaram to ensure that the next annual budget makes a strong political statement and reflects the government’s political will and the concerns of the “Aam Aadmi”.

Stop attacks, Pranab tells Pakistan
Kolkata, January 22
The Defence Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, now in the city, has expressed concern over the fresh round of mortar attacks in Poonch sector from across the border, which he feared was bound to disturb the peace process between the two countries.

Nation page: Pak N-scientist wants CBMs to avert tension
Punjab page: Pak army firing from across LoC: Gen Prashad

Junior seer’s brother detained under Goondas Act
Chennai, January 22
In what appears to be a vindictive move, the Tamil Nadu police special investigation team probing the Sankararaman murder case today invoked the Goondas Act against Kanchi Mutt manager, Mr Sundersa Iyer and junior pontiff Sri Vijayendra Saraswati’s brother, Raghu, to detain them for a year without trial.

4 train passengers held with bombs
Mumbai, January 22
Four persons travelling to Mumbai on the Golden Temple Express were arrested early this morning as soon as they alighted from the train.

Parveen Babi dead Mumbai, January 22 Popular Bollywood heroine of the late 1970s and early 1980s Parveen Babi was found dead at her suburban Juhu residence here today after a suspected drug overdose, the police said. ObitUARY: Parveen Babi transformed image of Indian actress