Jammuites take pride in Gen Bikram’s feat
Jammu, May 31
Youngest among six siblings, General Bikram Singh, affably called “Bikki” by his friends, who took over as the 25th Chief of the Army Staff of the third largest Army in the world today, spent his early childhood in Exchange Road area of the old city here. “The only son of his parents, he was very sharp in studies and see what he did today. He has become Chief of the Indian Army,” recalled an old woman (Details on Nation page)

Cabinet nod to new telecom policy 
Govt rings in free roaming
New Delhi, May 31
The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved a new telecom policy that aims to ultimately abolish roaming charges, allow users to retain their numbers even if they move from one zone to another, besides boosting transparency and growth in the scandal-hit sector.

Doon Express jumps tracks; 5 dead
Lucknow, May 31
Five persons were killed and 35 others injured when seven coaches of Howrah-Dehradun Doon Express derailed near Jaunpur, around 250 km from here on Thursday. "Five persons have been killed and nearly 35 injured," said Jaunpur SP, Akash Kulhari said.

Rescue work being carried out at the accident site near Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday. — PTI

Disruptions in road, rail traffic
New Delhi, May 31
The all-India bandh called by the NDA and the Left today in protest against the petrol price hike evoked a mixed response amid stray incidents of violence in Maharashtra, Karnataka and West Bengal and blockade of road and rail traffic.
Punjab page: Bharat Bandh call evokes mixed response
Haryaya page: Mixed response to bandh call in state
Himachal page: Bharat Bandh paralyses life in state
Delhi page: Poor response to BHARAT bandh call IN CITY

BJP activists run towards a train to block its way during a protest against petrol price hike in Ahmedabad. — PTI

Summer sun scorches, no respite in sight 7 deaths in Amritsar, Bathinda areas so far Amritsar/New Delhi, May 31 The blistering heat wave continued to sweep Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh with mercury hovering between 41 and 46°C at many places. In fact, the northern and eastern parts of the country baked at above normal temperatures today due to the scorching summer sun and hot winds.