Narrow escape for Buddha
Landmine blast on convoy route
Kolkata, November 2
Chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, union steel minister Ramvilas Paswan, his deputy Jiten Prasad, industrialist Sajjan Jindal and state industry minister Nirupam Sen had a narrow escape when Maoists exploded a landmine minutes after the Chief Minister’s convoy passed through Baroa, near Midnapore town, today.

FM for slashing interest rates
Karaikudi (TN), November 2
Hailing RBI’s latest policy package to infuse additional liquidity as a signal for a cut in interest rates, finance minister P. Chidambaram today said he would ask PSU banks to consider lowering lending rates.

Business page: Kamath seeks bailout plan for MFs, NBFCs
PM to meet industry captains today

Kumble times it perfect, calls it a day
New Delhi, November 2
Anil Kumble retired from Test cricket to signal the end of an era of spin bowling, spanning over 18 years. He took the momentous decision during the fifth day’s play of the third cricket Test between India and Australia here today.

Sports page: It’s the end of an era: Srikkanth
Sachin: Anil will always be an inspiration

Anil waves to the crowd after the end of the fifth day’s play of the third Test against Australia in New Delhi on Sunday. Kumble announced his retirement after the match. — Reuters

RJD MPs ready to resign: Lalu
New Delhi, November 2
The BJP has got into a logjam of politics between politicians from Bihar on the question of attack and murder of north Indians from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in Maharashtra by Raj Thackeray’s MNS with Bal Thackeray’s Shiv Sena approving the action.

Bulldozing of heritage at Hazur Sahib
Hazur Sahib, November 2
Historical buildings in Nanded stand mute testimony to the reckless destruction of heritage in this ancient town which is one of the five Takhts of the Sikhs.

Punjab page: Gill seeks Haj-like sops for Hazur Sahib pilgrims A file picture of a historical Bunga which was demolished by the Management of Takht Hazur Sahib at Nanded.

Assam sets up task force to tackle terror
Guwahati, November 2
Rattled by devastating serial blasts, the Assam government has set up an anti-terror Special Task Force on the lines of ‘greyhound' of Andhra Pradesh to tackle investigation into terror acts even as Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi reiterated that “anti-India forces operating from foreign soils in collusion with forces within” triggered the serial explosions.

SIT begins probe into Assam blasts
Assam govt had information about strikes: Army
Proposal for mega city policing

Punjab On A High III Despite meltdown, drug trade continues to flourish Chandigarh, November 2 Cascading effects of the financial meltdown may have inflicted severe blows on economies and the fiscal health of various nations and states, but the drug trade continues to flourish. Intriguingly, it is all-cash transactions that make the world’s largest illicit trade unique.