Top Stories

Maoists will get stronger in
Nepal, India warns king

What is India News Service, Wednesday, 2 February 2005, 1400 hrs IST

India expressed \93grave concern\94 over the developments in Nepal and diplomatically warned King Gyanendra that his sacking of the Sher Bahadur Deuba government and forming a government under his own chairmanship will only help the Maoists.

The Government of India was caught unawares by the developments in Nepal and New Delhi took the situation with utmost seriousness. External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh had an hour-long meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during which he briefed him on the latest situation in Nepal and also its possible fallout on the upcoming SAARC summit in Dhaka. 

The Ministry of External Affairs issued a strongly worded statement, which indicated both its displeasure as well as surprise over the King\92s actions. 

\93The latest developments in Nepal bring the monarchy and the mainstream political parties in direct confrontation with each other. This can only benefit the forces that not only wish to undermine democracy but the institution of monarchy as well,\94 the MEA statement said. 

Senior officials in South Block viewed the Nepal King\92s actions as fraught with dangerous consequences, which could redefine

Patil reviews Assam Accord: The Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil, today called for the strengthening of anti-infiltration measures along the India-Bangladesh border. He suggested the erection of high-quality barbed wire fences and strong vigil along the border.

PM not to attend SAARC summit: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will not attend the two-day SAARC summit in Dhaka slated to be held from February 6.

Army chief for humane touch to anti-terror drive: The new Chief of Army Staff General Joginder Jaswant Singh today said that bringing \93humane touch\94 to the anti-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East will be among his top priorities.

Srinagar voter turnout on the rise: It\92s rare to see Srinagar\92s urban voters fighting for a chance to cast their ballot. But this day brought several unusual instances in its fold with the electorate shaking off its inertia and annoyance to vote for polls to 68 wards of Srinagar Municipal Corporation. Of these, 23 were reserved for women, with 50 candidates in the fray.

Guidelines issued on poultry feed: The Centre has formulated regulatory guidelines on poultry feed and is moving towards making them mandatory, besides setting up of certifying agencies and testing labs.

Kanchi seer moves HC for advance bail: Kanchi acharya Jayendra Saraswati, who apprehended arrest in connection with 'tampering and fabrication of records case', has moved the Madras High Court.

Aftershocks rock Andaman and Nicobar: Three medium intensity aftershocks rattled the Andaman and Nicobar Islands since last night. Two were epicentred off the east coast of Car Nicobar Island.

Kidnapped school boy released, Laloo smells 'conspiracy': Relieved by the rescue of Kislay Komal, RJD chief Laloo Prasad attacked his political opponents for making the kidnapping an election issue and 'tarnishing the image' of the state. 

Bail extended for Lalu: The Patna High Court today extended by another three months the provisional bail of the RJD supremo and Railway Minister, Lalu Prasad, in a disproportionate assets case.


States


Call girls for sale in Chennai suburb for Rs 15,000: The Ambattur-Avadi belt is fast emerging as the commercial sex market of South India. Call girls are available for sale in Chennai suburb for Rs 15,000.

Delhi bans mobiles in schools: The Delhi Government on Tuesday decided to ban students from using mobile phones in state-run schools. This comes close on the heels of the MMS sex scandal involving two city school students.

Campaign din ends in Haryana: The proverbial din, if there was any, courtesy stringent restrictions imposed by the Election Commission, for the Haryana Assembly elections ended at 5 p.m. today. The state will go to the polls on February 3. 

The Sari Shop' wins Commonwealth award for Eurasia: The 'Sari Shop' deals with Ramchand, a young protagonist who is determined to learn the ways of the world. If he can educate himself he can escape from his boring job in a sari shop in Amritsar.


Neighbours


Benazir moves SHC against EC decision: Pakistan People's Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto has moved the Sindh High Court against the registration of two breakaway factions of her party, the Patriots and the Sherpao Group, on their merger.

Blackout in Balochistan as towers blown up: A large part of Balochistan was plunged into darkness after some people blew up two big towers of 220kv transmission line in Sibbi on Tuesday night.




Overall

Nepal developments alarmed India: New Delhi has told King Gyanendra that his sacking of the Deuba government could strengthen the Maoists' hands.

J J Singh called for new drive against terror: He said a humane touch could work well. 

Kidnapped Patna boy came home: Lalu immediately denounced his rivals for politicising the kidnapping.