More Army men, machines for Bihar
4.75 lakh evacuated
New Delhi, September 1
With floods causing havoc in eastern parts of the country, the Centre today rushed 16 additional Army columns comprising about 2,000 men and 141 Navy divers to Bihar and 400 Army men to Assam to step up relief and rescue operations.

A flood-affected family waits for food at a temporary settlement at Jankipur village in Purnia district, 420 km north-east of Patna, on Monday. — AFP

Opinion
Taming the Kosi
From Indo-Nepal sorrow to opportunity
B. G. Verghese
A catastrophe long feared occurred on August 18. The wayward Kosi burst through its eastern embankment in Nepal at Kushaha, by-passing the Bhimnagar Barrage constructed at the international border 12 kms further south, carving out a new course along its historically easternmost limits from which it had started migrating westwards some 200 years ago.

Tapped telephonic talk can be basis for FIR, rules SC
New Delhi, September 1
The Supreme Court today ruled that intercepted telephonic conversation could form the basis for registration of an FIR, clearing the way for prosecution of leading Bollywood financier Bharat Shah for his alleged links with the underworld.

Notice to states

Progress on Singur row
Kolkata/Singur, September 1
Talking the language of peace, Trinamool Congress today asked West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi to take the initiative for talks for an 'immediate end' to Singur impasse.

Firing, clashes in valley
Srinagar, September 1
Although the authorities had decided to lift the curfew today, restrictions continued in view of the protest demonstrations called by the separatist coordination committee. The curfew was relaxed in different areas in a phased manner and it passed off peacefully, barring minor incidents of protests and stone-pelting in Fatehkadal and Batamaloo areas, an official spokesman said here.

A Tribune Special
Fake Currency — II
Counterfeiting as old as money itself
Smart gangs dealing in counterfeit Indian currency have copied an idea from some furniture shops selling “fake antique” pieces by artificially seasoning the wood in rain and bright sunlight. The “fake currency artists” are also making newly printed counterfeit notes look like old ones to give you the impression that they are genuine.

Punjab no more interested in central status for PU Chandigarh, September 1 Mounting political criticism and “fear of reprisal” during the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections today forced the Punjab government to do a volte-face on the issue of Central varsity status for Panjab University. The administration today faxed a message to the Prime Minister Office (PMO) and the Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry, withdrawing the no-objection certificate (NOC) it had sent to Delhi last week.