Coming to the rescue of Punjab’s debt-ridden farming community, the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, today announced that the state government was working on a solution to bring out the state’s farmers from the vicious circle of debt.

The Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, and the PPCC chief, Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo, share a laugh at the party’s first electoral rally in Lambi on Saturday. — Tribune photo by Kulbir Beera

Punjab page: Cong eyes Akali bastion

CM faces the heat
Lambi, December 17
The ruling party’s first electoral rally today witnessed security lapses, boycott by a senior party leader, Mr Jagmeet Brar, and protest by jobless ETT teachers. Though the dais had a majority of Cabinet Ministers and senior party leaders, Mr Brar was conspicuous by his absence. Capt Amarinder Singh, said the party did not send invitations to any of its party leaders or workers and it was their duty to attend the party rally.

First gas flow expected by 2010-end
India, Pak agree to go ahead with gas pipeline project
New Delhi, December 17
Despite pressure from certain quarters, India and Pakistan today agreed to go ahead with the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project and begin construction by mid-2007 so that the first gas flows by the end of 2010.

Dravid ruled out, Sehwag to lead India
Ahmedabad, December 17
Virender Sehwag will lead India in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka starting here tomorrow after captain Rahul Dravid was ruled out with gastroenteritis. Dravid will miss a Test for the first time, having played 94 consecutive matches so far.

Sourav appeals to fans
Kolkata, December 17
Sourav Ganguly today appealed to his fans to desist from activities that disrupted normal life and expressed confidence that he would make a comeback to top-flight cricket by virtue of his performance. “Life needs to get back to normal and any bandh will jeopardise public life,” Ganguly said in a statement.
In video (28k, 56k)
Profile: Tremendous support for Sourav Ganguly

Protest against BPO employee’s rape
Bangalore, December 17
Shell shocked IT and BPO employees today took out a protest demanding a safe and secure Bangalore even as Karnataka Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh directed the police to step up vigil following the rape and murder of a recently married IT employee by a company pick-up driver who was taking her to her work place in the wee hours.

Protesters break barricades, reach WTO centre
Hong Kong, December 17
Hundreds of protesters battled through police lines in Hong Kong on Saturday to reach a building where World Trade Ministers are meeting. ''They're about 30 metres from the building with hundreds of riot police facing them,'' a Reuters reporter said.

World page:
WTO draft for end to farm subsidies by 2010
Brazil President talks to Manmohan
Punjab page: Tough stand sought to protect agriculture

Dense fog envelops region Chandigarh, December 17 Cold wave continued unabated in Punjab and Chandigarh even as a dense fog enveloped most parts of north-west India today, affecting rail and road traffic, and an old woman died due to chilly weather taking the number of deaths to three. In videos (28k, 56k), (28k, 56k)