Mixed response in J&K
The ceasefire announced by the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, in Jammu and Kashmir yesterday has evoked a mixed response.

'Short-term' ceasefire tactical: Pak.
Pakistan has said that the ``short-term'' ceasefire offer made by India could only be tactical in its efforts to impose a military solution and if it was really sincere about a ``just and durable solution'' to the Kashmir problem, India should end the ``repression'' in the State and agree to a tripartite dialogue.

Ceasefire our commitment to peace: Advani
The Vajpayee Government believes that its decision to call a ceasefire against militants during Ramzan established its commitment to peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

T.N. revives STF operations
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, today announced the recommencement of Special Task Force (STF) operations to nab the forest brigand, Veerappan, even as he came down heavily on any form of secessionist or extremist forces which tried to renew itself on the `Tamils plank'.

Seek Centre's help, says Karnataka Opposition
The Karnataka Opposition tonight demanded that the State Government seek Central assistance in nabbing the forest brigand, Veerappan, without further delay.

'Rollback a bid to please allies'
The decision of the Vajpayee Government to partially reduce the prices of Kerosene and Liquefied Petroleum Gas was criticised by the Opposition, which termed it as an attempt to please its allies and unsound on economics.

Sirimavo a true friend, says PM
The Prime Minister, Mr. A. B. Vajpayee, today described the former Sri Lankan Premier, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, as a true friend of the country ``who would be remembered with respect throughout the Third World.'' In his obituary refernce made in the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister also recalled his meeting with Mrs. Bandaranaike.

A good gesture, says Lone
The reverberations of the politics triggered by the wedding between the kin of the two senior Kashmir leaders from either side of the Line of the Control (LoC) continue to be felt in Islamabad.

Ershad jailed
The former Bangladeshi President, General H. M. Ershad, was today sent to jail by a Dhaka court in a graft case amid violence which left at least 10 persons injured. Many Jatiya Party supporters escorted Gen. Ershad, who was carried in a convoy vehicle, to the high security Dhaka Central Jail.

Respect ceasefire, U.S. tells militants
The Clinton administration today welcomed the Prime Minister, Mr. A. B. Vajpayee's announcement of a unilateral ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan and urged the militant groups to begin a process to end the conflict.