Farming leads slowdown
Economy slips to 5.3% in Q3
New Delhi, February 27
India's economic growth slowed sharply in the third quarter to 5.3 per cent from the same period a year ago on contracting agricultural and manufacturing output, as per the government data released today. The reason was agriculture, which has been worst hit in the October-December quarter, falling by 2.2 per cent, the statistics showed.

Another Flip-Flop
Kasab didn’t go by sea: Pak navy
New Delhi, February 27
Islamabad was back in denial mode today with Navy Chief Admiral Noman Bashir claiming there was no proof that Ajmal Kasab took the sea route from Pakistan to carry out the Mumbai terror attacks. “We have seen no evidence that confirms he and other terrorists went from Pakistan to Mumbai,” Bashir told reporters here.

Rubbish, says India
Dossier reply to be ready by next week: PC

Pub case: Govt sacks NCW member
New Delhi, February 27
The Mangalore pub attack case today cost the National Commission for Women (NCW) member Nirmala Venkatesh her job, with the government, in an unprecedented move, sacking her for displaying conduct “detrimental to public interest.” In a notification issued late this evening, the Ministry of Women and Child Development said Venkatesh was sent to enquire into the assault on girls at a Mangalore pub, but she went public with her comments without submitting her report despite reminders by the NCW.

Veteran leader wants Somnath back in party
Basu: CPM will suffer if Cong, TMC unite
Kolkata, February 27
Veteran communist leader Jyoti Basu today said the CPM was sure to lose some Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal in the forthcoming general elections if the Congress and Trinamool Congress formed an alliance. Speaking to mediapersons after attending a party meeting here, Basu said the party, however, was still undecided on supporting the Congress after the elections, and that any such decision would only be taken later (after the polls).

LS Poll
Left pitches for third front again
New Delhi, February 27
With the 14th Lok Sabha having come to an end and the next general elections round the corner, the Left parties are veering round to greater realism. The four parties constituting the Left Front, met here today to discuss the issuance of a joint appeal by mid-March, calling upon secular parties in both the UPA and NDA to join forces with a third alternative ahead of the Lok Sabha poll.

Dhaka Mutiny
Mass grave unearthed
Killers won’t be spared, says Hasina
Dhaka, February 27
A mass grave of at least 38 massacred army officers was today uncovered in the Bangladesh Rifles headquarters here, a day after the rebelling soldiers surrendered and a shocked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said those responsible for the killings would not be spared.
(Details in World page)

10 killed, 27 injured in Barnala bus collision
Barnala, February 27
More than 10 persons were killed in a head-on collision between two buses near the sub-jail here at around 8 pm today. Nearly 27 persons sustained injuries in the accident and those critically injured were being referred to the DMHC, Ludhiana. Eyewitness accounts, however, put the death toll much higher even though the official version was yet to corroborate it.

Bus falls into dam; three dead

FIR in suicide cases a must, rules HC
Chandigarh, February 27
Register a first information report, even in case of suicide — the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s message to the police is loud and clear. In a significant judgment having a direct bearing on all such cases, Justice Surya Kant of the high court has categorically stated suicide is a cognizable offence. As such, it is binding on the police authorities to register a case and investigate the matter.

Punjab again lays claim to Chandigarh Oppn makes parallel address, stages walkout on 1st day of Assembly session Chandigarh, February 27 Reiteration of state’s stand on vexed territorial, linguistic and river water issues, accusations against the Congress-led UPA government for its discriminatory policies and a walkout by members of the Congress Legislature Party marked Governor’s address as the Punjab Vidhan Sabha started its last session of current financial year here this afternoon.