The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Monday, April 3, 2000,
Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

S P O T L I G H T

Pak threat to stop Samjhauta Express
ISLAMABAD, April 2 (DPA) —Pakistan has told India that it will have to stop the passenger train service between the two countries unless India fulfilled its obligations under the agreement governing the service, the official news agency APP reported today. APP quoted the Pakistan railways authorities as saying that each side had to provide the rolling stock for the Samjauta Express train for six months alternately. But the Indians had not done so for the past 18 months.

Sharif case
KARACHI, April 2 (AFP) — The Pakistan authorities have stepped up security for the judge of an anti-terrorism court who will announce his verdict in a case against ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday, police and intelligence officials said today. “We have provided extra security to Judge Rehmat Hussain Jaffri as a preventive measure,” a senior intelligence official said.

Consignment seized
MOSCOW, April 2 (PTI) — The Uzbek customs authorities have seized a Pakistan-bound consignment of “highly radioactive” materials on its border with Kazakhstan, Itar-Tass news agency reported today quoting government sources in Tashkent. Ten 70x40x25 cm lead containers with radioactive materials, on their way from Kazakhstan for Quetta-based Ahmadjan Haji Muhammad Company, were impounded by the customs in a joint operation with the National Security Service on the Uzbek-Kazakh border near Tashkent on Thursday.

Food poisoning kills 5
MUZAFFARNAGAR, April 2 (PTI) — Five persons, including two women, of a family died after suspected food poisoning in Dakhera village near here today, the police said. The victims, who consumed food in the morning, complained of headache, vomiting and stomach disorder and died before being admitted to the hospital. One person of the family has been hospitalised.

Advani meets Mithi
ITANAGAR, April 2 (PTI) — Union Home Minister L.K. Advani today discussed the law and order situation in Arunachal Pradesh with Chief Minister Mukut Mithi, official sources said here. Mr Advani, who arrived here this morning, took stock of the situation during the meeting with Mr Mithi, his Council of Ministers, Governor Arvind Dave and assessed the security arrangements in the state.