Tuesday, September 5, 2006, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

J&K sex racket cases shifted to Chandigarh
New Delhi, September 4
In view of the hostile atmosphere against sex racket accused in valley, the Supreme Court today transferred the cases of 14 persons, including two former ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, from a Srinagar Sessions court to District and Sessions Judge, Chandigarh, for trial after they have been chargesheeted by the CBI.

Nation page: Sex scam: SC pulls up J&K Bar for statement

Nod to duty-free import of wheat
New Delhi, September 4
The government has decided to remove customs duty on import of wheat by private companies to check high retail prices, said the Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today. He said the orders for duty-free import of wheat will be passed shortly and this facility will be available for 4-5 months only.

PM expresses pain over Ujjain professor’s death
New Delhi, September 4
Addressing award-winning teachers here today, the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, said he was pained to hear the death of a professor in Ujjain last week at the hands of “unruly students”.

Nation page: CID zeroes in on 2 BJP corporators

India: The Tasks Ahead
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT
125TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS,
INAUGURAL SESSION

Non-bailable warrants against Bina Ramani
New Delhi, September 4
A Delhi court today issued non-bailable warrants against socialite Bina Ramani in case of cheating for acquiring a licence to run a bar at Mehrauli in South Delhi. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Kamini Lau issued the warrants to be executed on or before September 15.

Kashmir valley remains cut off
Srinagar, September 4
Though there was a respite in downpour across the valley, the flood situation, with rivers flowing above the danger mark, continued to be grim in the Kashmir valley for the fourth consecutive day today.

J&K page: Floods damage water treatment plant

A boat carries a flood-hit family on the streets of Srinagar and (right) a CRPF jawan wades through water after floods hit the base camp in Bemina area of Srinagar on Monday. — Tribune photos by Amin War

Pak activities along LoC discussed
New Delhi, September 4
The Cabinet Committee on Security discussed the activities of Pakistan Army along the Line of Control at its meeting on September 2. The meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, is understood to have reviewed the Pakistani move of construction of concrete bunkers and reinforcement of manpower in certain sensitive sectors along the LoC.

Captain, two jawans killed in encounter
Baramulla, September 4
A Captain and two jawans were killed in an encounter at Attamulla village in the Bandipora area, official sources said. The sources said acting on a tip-off troops of 57 Rashtriya Rifles launched a search operation last evening at Attamulla village. The militants attacked the search party with automatic weapons and grenades and in the ensuing encounter a Captain and 2 jawans were killed.
— UNI

Kerala minister quits
Thiruvananthapuram, September 4
Facing allegations of misbehaviour towards a woman passenger on an aircraft, Kerala Public Works Minister P.J. Joseph today resigned from the LDF ministry after the preliminary probe by a senior police officer finding that the woman’s charge could not ruled out. — PTI

Officers of oil companies defer strike
by 3 weeks
New Delhi, September 4
Officers of state-owned oil firms tonight suspended for three weeks, their plan to launch an indefinite strike from Tuesday claiming that a categorical assurance was given by the government to consider their demands relating to higher wages.

A Tribune Special Free treatment up to Rs 1 lakh for 7 lakh poor families Chandigarh, September 4 Seven lakh poor families in the urban and rural areas will get free treatment up to Rs 1 lakh in hospitals empanelled by the Punjab Government. The government will pay the premium of the health insurance cover that will be provided to these families.