Tuesday, May 22, 2007, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Alliance: BJP talks of ‘hard decisions’
Chandigarh, May 21
Conveying its displeasure at the recent sectarian clashes in Punjab, the BJP today issued the first major warning to its alliance partner, the SAD, saying it would not hesitate to take “hard decisions” in the larger interests of the people of the state.

Dera team in Delhi Punjab page: Dera chief’s ex-driver approaches SC Border with Haryana sealed

Punjab Bandh Today
CM: If apology helps, do it
Chandigarh, May 21
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said “if an apology” by the chief of the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda could help in bringing peace in the region, then “why should the dera chief not should show magnanimity and apologise for his provocative act?” However, Badal added that as head of the government, he would not ask for an apology from the dera chief.

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

2,000 faithful leave dera
Salabatpura (Bathinda), May 21
Even as the state police authorities have made ‘foolproof’ security arrangements to meet any eventuality during the Punjab bandh call given by Akal Takht for tomorrow, more than 2000 followers of Sacha Sauda sect, who were camping in its local Dera, have left in the past 24 hours.

Dera unmoved, won’t say sorry
Sirsa, May 21
Ignoring Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's advice, the Dera Sacha Sauda again refused to tender an apology here today. Details on Haryana page

Takht to summon Cong leaders who ‘incited trouble’
Amritsar, May 21
Jathedar Akal Takht Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti today said that those Sikh Congress leaders, who sided with Dera Sacha Sauda and incited trouble at Bathinda on May 14 were being identified and could be summoned before the Sikh clergy.

’97 murder case:
SC indicts Punjab police
New Delhi, May 21
The Supreme Court has indicted the Punjab police for diluting the FIR in an attempted rape and murder of a woman 10 years ago to save five policemen in the case. However, the court acquitted two of them of murder charges for lack of evidence.

Mumbai blasts
10-year RI for Sanjay Dutt’s accomplice
4 cops get 6-year jail
Mumbai, May 21
The special court set up under the Terrorism and Disruptive Activities Act to hear the 1993 Mumbai blasts case today sentenced Mansoor Ahmed Sayyed Ahmed to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.

Left critical of Centre’s economic policies
New Delhi, May 21
Even as the Congress-UPA government completes three years in office tomorrow to a large extent due to the image of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh being at the helm of affairs, the smaller Left parties are highly critical of the Centre's economic policies and some ministers like Mani Shankar Aiyar have sounded the alarm that urgent course correction is needed to benefit the "aam aadmi."