3 killed in police firing
Lucknow, Sept. 27. Three persons were killed and two injured when police opened fire on a violent mob protesting against the arrest of three activists of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) in old Lucknow today. This followed a ban on the organisation by the Centre today.

Effective for 2 years
New Delhi, Sept. 27. After dilly-dallying for the past few months, the Centre today banned the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).

U.S. rethink on military action?
Washington, Sept. 27. The Bush administration is making it clear that the U.S. will be very careful about how it goes about the exercise of rooting out terrorism. It is now trying to dispel the impression that an imminent military action is necessary.

No promises to U.S.: PM
New Delhi, Sept. 27. The Government's bid to evolve a national consensus on the looming Afghan crisis received a shot in the arm with all the major Opposition parties extending support to it at a meeting here today.

Vijayabhaskar Reddy dead
Hyderabad, Sept. 27. Congress stalwart and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Kotla Vijayabhaskar Reddy, who influenced the course of State politics for over five decades, died here today after prolonged illness. He was 81.

Train torched
Muzaffarpur, Sept. 27. Even though the people's anger seemed to subside, several groups defied the indefinite curfew clamped on the municipal limits and resorted to sporadic violence which included the torching of a passenger train here today.

Dacoits loot train
New Delhi, Sept. 27. Armed dacoits struck the Puri Express near Ghaziabad, injuring 11 passengers, a Northern Railway spokesman said here tonight.

SC order on crackers
New Delhi, Sept. 27. Describing `right to peaceful sleep' as a fundamental right, the Supreme Court today asked all the District Collectors in the country to ensure that firecrackers were burst only between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. during Dasara, Diwali and other festivals.