Another ceasefire violation by Pak Rangers
11th incident in 13 days
BSF constable killed
Panic grips border villages
Abdulian (Indo-Pak Border), August 17
Panic gripped villagers of Abdulian and Chandu Chack after Pakistan Rangers opened unprovoked and heavy fire on Indian posts along the International Border (IB) in the RS Pura sector, killing a BSF constable late last night. Pakistan has violated ceasefire 11 times in the past 13 days along the 192-km International Border and Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

Marks of bullets fired by Pak Rangers which hit the parapet of a house at Chandu Chak village.

More stories on J&K page

Brother arrested, Gopal Kanda keeps cops waiting
New Delhi, August 17
Former Haryana Minister Gopal Goyal Kanda, who has been absconding since August 8 when he did not appear before the police for questioning in the Geetika Sharma suicide case, will surrender before the police in the wee hours on Saturday, said his lawyers.

Haryana page: Raids in Sirsa; Kanda’s kin, aides questioned

Punjab to move away from growing paddy
Chandigarh, August 17
As suggested by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, the state government has started an exercise to find a viable alternative for paddy in the state. (Details on Punjab page)

MPs back N-E migrants; PM promises action
New Delhi, August 17
As people from the North-East continued to flee from Karnataka and Maharashtra amid fears of backlash in the aftermath of Kokrajhar violence, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today promised immediate action to control the situation.

Editorial: No reason to fear
Nation page:
Portals blocked, bulk SMSes banned
Three held in Bangalore
NE students flee M’rashtra
Fresh killing in Kokrajhar