Lhasa violence spreads
Protesters torch Sichuan police station
Beijing, March 16
Rioting erupted in a province neighbouring Tibet today, two days after violent protests by Tibetans against Chinese rule in Lhasa. “They’ve gone crazy,” said a police officer in Aba county, Sichuan, one of four provinces with large Tibetan populations, her voice trembling down the telephone as the main government building there came under siege.

We want autonomy, not separation: Dalai Lama Thus He Spake Himachal page: Tibetans’ protest continues Editorial: Turmoil in Tibet The Dalai Lama talks to the media at McLeodganj on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

Security lockdown in Lhasa Chinese soldiers sit on an armoured personnel carrier as they guard the streets in Lhasa on Sunday. — Reuters photo

Sarabjit to be hanged on April 1
Islamabad, March 16
Indian national Sarabjit Singh, condemned to death for his alleged involvement in four bomb blasts in Pakistan in 1990, will be hanged in a prison in Lahore on April 1.

Pall of gloom descends on Bhikhiwind village

Another tourist molested in Goa
Mumbai, March 16
A 27-year-old female German tourist was molested on an isolated beach in Goa late Friday night, according to a police complaint filed by the victim. Pressing immediately into action Goa home minister Ravi Naik has called a high-level meeting of police officials to discuss rising incidents of crime against foreigners in the state. 

Four dead in Assam grenade blast
Guwahati, March 16
Four persons, including three women, were killed and over 40 injured when suspected ULFA militants hurled a grenade at a festive gathering at Jonai in Dhemaji district last night. The grenade was lobbed over a gathering of over 500 tribals of the Mishing community, who had gathered to celebrate Spring Festival.

Muslim women law board unveils model nikahnama
Lucknow, March 16
While the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board is against the apex court’s direction of compulsory registration of marriages, the All-India Muslim Women Personal Law Board has fully endorsed the suggestion as “pro-women”.

It says...

All-India Muslim Women Personal Law Board chairperson Shaista Amber (extreme left), along with little girls, releases the new Shariat Nikahnama at a press conference in Lucknow on Sunday. — PTI photo

Central Status for Panjab University Punjab opposition baffles many Chandigarh, March 16 Strange and contradictory are the ways the state governments pursue their policies, especially those dealing with core subjects like education and healthcare. The Punjab government, for example, wants more central universities in the state but has been opposing tooth and nail the idea of converting Panjab University (PU) into a central university.