S P O T L I G H T

Pak SC upholds referendum
Islamabad, April 27
A nine-member Bench of the Pakistan Supreme Court today unanimously rejected a host of petitions questioning the legality of the referendum being held on April 30 to extend President Pervez Musharraf’s term by five years. The court held that the referendum was legal. The referendum has been termed as unconstitutional and illegal by the mainstream political and religious parties. Meanwhile, eight battalions of Pakistan’s Army have been recalled from the international border for internal security duties during Wednesday’s referendum. The Karachi Rangers had been moved to Soura, Khipro, Sangarh and other parts of the interior to help in the April 30 vote. PTI

Shoot-at-sight order
Patna, April 27
The Bihar Government has issued the shoot-at-sight order against trouble-makers during tomorrow’s civic elections, being held after two decades. The administration had been provided with additional powers and the Bihar Military Police (BMP) Special Task Force deployed at all polling centres. Apart from 40,000 BMP personnel and district police, 19,000 home guards had been deployed. River patrolling would also be done. UNI

Jharkhand minister
Ranchi, April 27
The Jharkhand High Court has declared Minister of State for Rural Engineering Organisation (REO) Madhu Koda as an absconder and ordered his appearance on or before May 3. Chief Justice V.K. Gupta yesterday directed state’s Additional Advocate-General Barnwal S. Lal to ensure the presence of the absconder wanted in a case in West Singhbhum. The high court also asked to produce a lower court’s order last year in which a non-bailable warrant was issued against the minister. UNI