Saturday, July 20, 2002, Chandigarh, India
 Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

USA rejects Pak plebiscite demand
Washington, July 19
Rejecting Islamabad’s persistent demand for a plebiscite in Kashmir in accordance to the UN resolution, the USA today said it favoured the settlement of the problem bilaterally between India and Pakistan in accordance with the Simla Accord and hoped the coming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir would lead to the resolution of the issue.

India’s stand vindicated
New Delhi, July 19
While welcoming Washington’s latest statement that India and Pakistan should resolve their bilateral differences under the Shimla Agreement, India today said it completely vindicated its stand as New Delhi had all along been stressing the need for adopting the bilateral course to resolve their problems.

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Perceptions differ on LoC
Straw meets Brajesh, Sinha
New Delhi, July 19
Even as British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw launched his new phase of South Asia diplomacy today and held consultations with Indian leaders to ease Indo-Pak tensions, New Delhi made it clear to him that it had taken enough de-escalatory measures and now the ball was in Islamabad’s court.

Straw assailed for arms sales to India, Pak
London, July 19
Lawmakers criticised Foreign Secretary Jack Straw in a report published today for failing to block arms sales to India and Pakistan during the standoff over Kashmir.

2,683 pilgrims reach Pahalgam
Srinagar, July 19
The first batch of 2,683 pilgrims to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath arrived in Pahalgam from Jammu this evening. Tight security arrangements have been made along the yatra route from Khananbal to the holy cave shrine for the annual pilgrimage, scheduled to conclude on August 22 coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan.

Gujarat Assembly dissolved
Gandhinagar, July 19
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today tendered the resignation of his council of ministers and recommended the dissolution of the state Assembly to go in for mid-term poll.

    Communal clash in Gujarat town
    Nation page: Cong for President’s rule in Gujarat

Heavy rain in Himachal
Chandigarh, July 19
Breaking nearly fortnight-long dry spell, rain lashed the city and its adjoining areas, raising hopes of reviving the south-west monsoon in the region once again.

Yajnas held to appease rain god Women perform the ritual of burning a “guddi” to appease the rain god at Poohla village of Bathinda on Friday. — Photo Kulbir Beera