7 non-Manipuris shot
Toll in attacks since Monday night mounts to 14
Guwahati, March 18
Seven migrant labourers were shot dead and four injured by militants in Manipur today as the toll of people killed in stepped-up violence in the state since last night rose to 14. Militants shot dead three non-Manipuris labourers at Takhel, one each at Keibi and Kangla Siphai in Imphal East district and Sekmaijin and Konuma in Thoubal district, officials said.

Shivani Murder RK Sharma, 3 others guilty New Delhi, March 18 Dressed in a pink T-shirt and brown trousers, the suspended Inspector General of Police R.K Sharma remained impassive as the Additional Sessions Judge Rajender Kumar Shastri pronounced judgement in a packed court room today and held Sharma, along with three others, guilty in the Shivani Bhatnagar murder case. Chandigarh page: The family is cursed, says neighbour time up: R.K. Sharma on way to court in New Delhi. Sharma said he would challenge his conviction. — A Tribune photograph

China open to talks: Wen
Accuses Dalai Lama of masterminding protests
Beijing, March 18
Buckling under intense international pressure, China today said it was still open to talks with the Dalai Lama whom it accused of “masterminding” the pro-independence protests in Lhasa and elsewhere as Tibet remained virtually cut off after Friday’s widespread violence.

Himachal page: Hurt at violence, Dalai Lama threatens to quit
Nation page: Take up Tibet issue with UN: BJP
World page: Lhasa will be opened to the world: China

Please-all budget in Haryana
Chandigarh, March 18 Keeping in line with the Union Budget, Haryana finance minister Birender Singh today presented an election-year budget, giving many concessions to various sections like women, employees, teachers, scientists and the Scheduled Castes. Of course, he did not propose any fresh tax.	Key Points 1 pc cut in stamp duty on property registration Power subsidy of Rs 2,366 crore to farmers Allowances for girl students/jobless women up Hike in loan ceilings for govt employees Higher allocation for education VAT exemption on toys, diapers, napkins

Sada Punjab is slowest in moving forward
Chandigarh, March 18
The shocking truth that Punjab is the economically slowest growing state during the 11th Plan ( 2007-2012) has come to light.

Fed cuts US interest rate
Washington: The Federal Reserve slashed a key US interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point today, a substantial cut but smaller than many in financial markets had expected, as part of an effort to hold off a deep recession and financial meltdown.
(Details on Business page)

Brig slaps defamation case on Maj Gen
Chandigarh, March 18
In yet another controversy embroiling the Judge Advocate General’s Department, the Army’s legal wing, a Brigadier has sued the Maj-Gen heading the department for defamation. In a suit filed before a local court today, Brig A.K. Srivastava has sought damages amounting to Rs 10 lakh “for the acts of defamation committed by the defendants”.

Pak minister hopeful of leniency Islamabad/New Delhi, March 18 Pakistan’s caretaker human rights minister Ansar Burney does not rule out commuting the death sentence of Indian national Sarabjit Singh, who is to be hanged on April 1, to life imprisonment. “Since he spent 18 years in jail, the President may consider converting his death sentence to life imprisonment,” he told reporters here. Dalbir Kaur, sister of Sarabjit Singh, comes out of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Tuesday after submitting a clemency plea to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf. — PTI photo