Nitish returns Gujarat’s Kosi relief donation
Patna, June 19
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today returned the Rs 5-crore aid given by the Gujarat Government for the Kosi flood victims, drawing sharp criticism from the BJP and other parties like the Congress, the RJD and the the LJP. Kumar, who was angry after local papers last week carried advertisements about the help given by the Gujarat Government for the 2008 Kosi flood victims, returned the money, which was lying unspent in the CM’s Relief Fund, officials said.

BJP rules out break-up with Nitish: Nation page

Friends no More Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has fallen out with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi over a controversial advertisement (below) that claimed Gujarat had donated  the highest amount (Rs 5 crore) for Kosi flood victims

Must strive for doubling agri growth: PM
Pantnagar, June 19
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called for doubling the agricultural growth rate of the nation. 
Uttarakhand Governor Margaret Alva confers an honorary degree of Doctor of Science on PM Manmohan Singh at the 26th convoca- tion of the Govind Ballabh Panth University 
of Agriculture at Pantnagar on Saturday. 

GoM for extradition of Anderson
Likely to ask Supreme Court to review judgment in case
New Delhi, June 19
The second meeting of the group of ministers (GoM) on Bhopal gas tragedy hit a roadblock on holding Dow Chemicals liable for cleaning up the toxic waste at the abandoned Union Carbide factory site as there is no clarity about the ownership of the Indian unit.

Dow-Union Carbide deal under Centre gaze: Nation page

2 girls batter killer to death
To be honoured by police
Rohtak, June 19
A ‘most wanted’ criminal was killed in bizarre fashion early on Saturday morning by two teenaged girls, Suman ( 17) and Poonam (18) at Karontha village. Police announced plans to reward the girls for their bravery. The high drama, according to the police, started around 5.30 am when two men on a motorcycle arrived at the house of Sube Singh and asked for his son, Rajesh. 

Govt violates HC orders
Chandigarh, June 19
Despite clear instructions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, municipal bodies in the state continue to use photographs of political leaders on tender and auction notices that appear in newspapers. (Details on Punjab page)

India knock Pak out
Dambulla, June 19
Gautam Gambhir fought through testing times against the new ball, scored at a steady pace while his opening partner Virender Sehwag struggled, and almost single-handedly built a platform from which India could challenge Pakistan's total. For their part, Pakistan's bowlers kept India's top order quiet, but they were able to take only two wickets in the first 25 overs, setting up an enthralling finish to the Asia Cup's marquee clash.(Details on Sports page)

Girl commits ‘suicide’ in police station SHO, 5 others suspended Amritsar, June 19 A girl, who was arrested on a charge of theft, allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself from a ceiling fan inside a cell at Gate Hakima police station here this morning. The deceased has been identified as 19-year-old Sarbjit Kaur, alias Shabbo. She was alleged to be a member of a gang of burglars. Treating the incident as gross negligence on the part of police officials, Amritsar Police Commissioner Varinder Kumar has placed SHO Sukhwinder Singh and five other officials under suspension. A judicial inquiry has also been ordered, which will be conducted by Judicial Magistrate (Class I) Jagdeep Sood.