Army admits to opening fire
Admitting that the Army had opened fire both in Haigam and Maisuma, the Commander of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, Lt. Gen. John Ranjan Mukherjee, today regretted the loss of seven lives in these incidents. He appealed to the people to end the protests with an assurance that the blameworthy would be brought to book and dealt with according to law.

'No discrimination in quake relief'
The first meeting of the National Committee on Disaster Management, presided over by the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, today said all help would be provided to the earthquake victims in Gujarat irrespective of their religion, caste or political affiliations.

Advani to file revision plea
With pressure mounting on the Uttar Pradesh Government to issue a fresh notification rectifying the defect pointed out by the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court to pave the way for a trial in the Babri Masjid demolition case, the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, and others have decided to file revision petitions in the High Court to get their names cleared of the charges.

Srinagar still tense
Tension continued to grip Srinagar today with angry masses defying restrictions in some curfew-bound areas to register their protest by burning tyres and throwing stones at police and paramilitary forces. Reports from various towns indicated that the situation was still tense and the Government's efforts to persuade the public have not borne fruit.

Shoot orders in Asthawan
Shoot- at-sight orders were issued and security beefed up in view of tomorrow's bypoll in Bihar's Asthawan Assembly constituency. The Director General of Police, Mr. R.R. Prasad, today said police would not hesitate to open fire to prevent booth grabbing.

Navies must fight global terrorism: PM
The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, today emphasised cooperation among the navies of the world to curb drug trafficking and gun-running which he described as handmaidens of international terrorism.