Gujjars, govt strike deal
Jaipur, June 17
The 26-day-old agitation by Gujjars demanding ST status is set to be called off tomorrow as the community reached an agreement with the Rajasthan government in the final rounds of talks here today.

Russia: N-deal good for India
New Delhi, June 17
On the eve of a crucial meeting of the UPA-Left committee, Russia today strongly backed the Indo-US nuclear deal, hoping the pact would be operationalised ‘sooner rather than later’.

Nation page: Left firm on opposing pact with IAEA

Zardari says Musharraf to be replaced by PPP member
PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari’s statement that a member of his party would replace Musharraf as the President of Pakistan has triggered speculation among political circles that Zardari has broached the idea of himself assuming the office.

Reckless Driving
Book parents of underage drivers, says Renuka
New Delhi, June 17
Union women and child development minister Renuka Choudhury today hit out at parents for allowing underage children to drive, and said laws should be adequately amended to bring such parents to book. She was referring to the tragic death of two minors in a road accident in Gurgaon two days ago. (Details on Nation page)

Explosives and detonators seized in Jagraon
Jagraon, June 17
In the biggest haul of explosives in Punjab in recent times, the Ludhiana rural police (Jagraon) this morning nabbed two alleged terrorists with 24.5 kg of explosives and 25 detonators, enough to trigger 25 major blasts in the state.

The Jagraon police with explosives and detonators on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph

Gorkha Stir
All-party meet calls for tripartite talks
Kolkata, June 17
The all-party meeting held here today in the presence of Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and union information and broadcasting minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi unanimously resolved that the Centre would be requested to hold tripartite meeting for ending the crisis in Darjeeling hills over the Gorkhaland issue.

Army plans Siachen trek despite Pakistan protest
New Delhi, June 17
Notwithstanding Pakistan’s vociferous protests, the Indian Army will organise a civilian mountaineering and trekking expedition to the Siachen Glacier for the second year in a row in October-November this year.

Hundreds of people flee after NATO warning Kandahar, June 17 Hundreds of people fled their houses in southern Afghanistan today as foreign and Afghan forces prepare to drive out Taliban insurgents who have overrun several villages here, officials and witnesses said. Afghan National Army soldiers rush to board an aircraft for Kandahar at the Kabul military airport ahead of a possible offensive against the Taliban. — AFP photo