196 Indian fishermen to be freed
The Government of Pakistan has decided to release 196 Indian fishermen, along with their 32 boats, in its custody. They have been detained from time to time for straying into its territorial waters for unlawful fishing.

Qazi promises a successful summit
The Pakistan High Commissioner, Mr. Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, today held talks with the Samajwadi Party leaders, Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mr. Amar Singh, as part of his consultations with Indian leaders ahead of the Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf's visit.

Parliamentary guarantee for N-E States likely
Even as leaders of Manipur's political parties met this evening at the residence of the Samata Party leader, Mr. George Fernandes, who said he would pursue the ``core issue of withdrawal of ceasefire with the NSCN (I-M)'', it was indicated that the Government may be willing, if necessary, to give the stamp of parliamentary approval to its commitment to protect the territorial integrity of the northeastern States, including Assam and Manipur.

Curfew reimposed in Manipur
Indefinite curfew was reimposed in Manipur's Imphal east and west districts this afternoon after an eight-hour relaxation in view of the tense situation in the State, according to official sources. The Government has closed all educational institutions in the State for one week from today in view of the tense situation.

Geological activity caused accident?
Even as an inquiry is in progress about the causes leading to the Kozhikode railway accident, the Minister of State for Railways, Mr. O. Rajagopal, today held a news conference in an apparent bid to absolve the Railways of the blame.

Screening of 'Gadar' disrupted in Ahmedabad
The Gujarat Government has asked the police officials concerned to provide security to the cinemas screening ``Gadar,'' following disturbances in a cinema in Ahmedabad on Sunday night.

Six soldiers killed
At least six soldiers were killed and 20 wounded when the bus they were in was blown up in an LTTE claymore mine attack in Jaffna peninsula today.

Silent over sleuths' visit
The Board of Control for Cricket in India officials here were tight-lipped about the visit to their office by the CBI sleuths from Delhi today.

German scribe detained
A German woman journalist was detained for questioning for allegedly visiting ULFA camps, police sources said today.

Two judges for Patna HC
The President has appointed Mr. Prithvi Narain Yadav and Mr. Braj Nandan Prasad Singh judges of the Patna High Court, in that order of seniority, with effect from the date they assume charge of their respective office.

Uma Bharti joins Bajrang Dal
The Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, Ms. Uma Bharti today joined the Bajrang Dal. At an `amrit mahotsav' function of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) here, Ms. Bharti asked the VHP working president, Mr. Ashok Singhal to complete the formalities.

43 hurt in blast
Forty-three people were injured, some of them seriously, when a bomb placed in a scooter parked outside the railway station here exploded tonight, police said.