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Shinde blinks, regrets saffron terror remarks
UPA avoids showdown with BJP ahead of budget session
New Delhi, February 20
The Manmohan Singh government today avoided a possible showdown in Parliament with Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde expressing regret over his saffron terror remarks for which the Bharatiya Janata Party wanted an apology.
Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde with BJP leader Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi on Wednesday. — PTI

At Jallianwala, Cameron stops short of apology
Amritsar, February 20
British Prime Minister David Cameron today termed the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre as a deeply shameful event in British history, but stopped short of a public apology.

Will take up turban issue with France: Cameron
Without apology, visit meaningless, say martyrs’ kin
(Details on PUNJAB page)

Strike claims life in Haryana; violence in Noida
Mixed response across country
ASSOCHAM estimates Rs 26,000-cr losses
New Delhi, February 20
The 48-hour general strike called by 11 trade unions evoked mixed response across the country today leaving one union leader dead in Ambala and several industrial properties and vehicles damaged in Noida where 14 people were arrested for the ruckus.
Police resorts to lathicharge on roadways employees at Ambala on Wednesday. Tribune photo

Ambala tense after death of union leader
Ambala, February 20
A leader of Haryana Roadways Workers Union Narender Singh died this morning outside the local bus depot when a bus hit him while he tried to stop it from plying. Members of the roadways union had been squatting in front of the depot gate since early morning and were not allowing plying of buses following the call for the nation-wide strike. Narender died on the spot.

Ramdev’s entry into HP barred
Shimla, February 20
With Swami Ramdev deciding to go ahead with the inauguration of his Patanjali Yogpeeth near Sadhupul in Solan district on February 27, the government is gearing up to ensure that he is not allowed to do so and has barred his entry into the state.

SC links Veerappan aides’ fate to Bhullar case verdict
New Delhi, February 20
The Supreme Court today linked the fate of slain sandalwood smuggler Veerappan’s four aides, sentenced to death for killing 22 police personnel in a landmine blast in 1993, to a pending SC judgment in a case relating to Devender Pal Singh Bhullar.

copter deal fallout Antony says imports should be last resort New Delhi, February 20 In the backdrop of the VVIP copter scandal, Defence Minister AK Antony today asked the forces to start looking within and break free of the “import mindset”. He said importing equipment should be the last option. He also announced to review defence production and procurement policies. Defence Minister AK Antony with Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh at a seminar in New Delhi on Wednesday. PTI