Monday, September 25, 2006, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

No change in stand on terror: PM
Rebuts criticism on joint mechanism with Pak Nainital, September 24 Rebutting the criticism from the security establishment and the BJP on the formation of a joint mechanism with Pakistan on fighting terrorism, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said it would actually test Islamabad’s assurance on not allowing its territory to be used for terrorism against India. In video (56k)

Chidambaram leaves CMs fuming
Nainital, September 24
Finance Minister P. Chidambaram’s rigid attitude and dismissive response to their suggestions on rural credit has left Congress Chief Ministers and party functionaries fuming.

No Deputy PM, asserts Sonia
Nainital, September 24
That Prime Minister Manmohan Singh continues to enjoy Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s confidence was evident when she emphatically scotched all speculation about the possible appointment of a Deputy Prime Minister.

Woman official of Belgian Embassy stabbed to death New Delhi, September 24 A woman official of the Belgian Embassy was reportedly stabbed to death by her driver at her South Delhi residence, the police said today. Pakistan denies coup rumours Islamabad, September 24 Pakistan today denied rumours of a coup attempt against President Pervez Musharraf while he is visiting the United States. Agitation by farmers hits rail services Chandigarh, September 24 Railway services came to a standstill in several parts of Punjab following the “rail roko” agitation by activists of the Punjab Kisan Sabha for two hours today.

Ludhiana page Thousands hit as farmers block trains Activists of the Punjab Kisan Sabha stop a train as part of their “rail roko” agitation at Rajpura on Sunday. — Photo by J.S. Virdi

4 join Koda ministry
Ranchi, September 24
Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda today inducted four ministers in his Cabinet, taking the total strength of the ministry to eight.

Jawan kills 4 others, self
Imphal, September 24
Four Assam Rifles jawans were shot dead by one of their colleagues, who also committed suicide by shooting himself in the Jiribam area of Manipur, official sources said today. — PTI

Life on the edges-I Call them by any name, they are bonded labourers Mansa, September 24 For the past 22 years, Amarjit Singh, who is the manager of a 55-acre farm in Mansa Khurd village here, has been working from dawn to dusk for a measly daily wage of Rs 52.05. Wrinkles writ large on his face, he looks older than his 60 years. Inder Singh and Amarjit Singh (right) have been working as “attached labourers” in Mansa for almost two decades. — Tribune photo by Kulbir Beera