Security blanket over Srinagar
Srinagar has been covered by a security blanket ahead of the Independence Day celebrations, giving it the look of a city under siege. All streets are dotted with security personnel, who stop vehicles and frisk people.

Centre writes again on police officer's transfer
The Union Home Ministry today once again asked the Tamil Nadu Government to make available the services of Mr. R. Rajagopalan, for use at the Centre as Director General of the National Security Guards.

Governor reviews situation, to send report
As the DMK stepped up pressure on the Central Government for ``checking'' the AIADMK Government in view of the violence during the party rally on Sunday, the Tamil Nadu Governor, Dr. C. Rangarajan, today took stock of the situation in the State after obtaining a report from the Chief Secretary, Mr. P. Shankar.

Mosque desecration triggers tension
Tension prevailed in Bhilwara district of Rajasthan today following desecration of a mosque in Pander village, 78 km. from the district headquarters, by some unidentified miscreants. A portion of the mosque was damaged.

Former tennis player killed
Former junior national tennis player, Mr. S. Kartik Raj, who was kidnapped from a lodge in the city for a ransom of Rs. 7 lakhs, was done to death by the abductors on August 8, police said here today.

CPI(M) leader shot dead
The chairman of the CPI(M)-dominated Dumdum Municipality, Dr. Sailen Das, was shot dead at Dumdum today by some persons, police said.

Sena chief backs Nirupam
The Shiv Sena supremo, Mr. Bal Thackeray, tonight strongly backed party MP, Mr. Sanjay Nirupam, who had levelled charges against the PMO in the UTI muddle, saying if need arose, his party was willing to contest future elections on its own.

Krishna water dispute: SC notice to Centre, A.P.
The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Centre and States of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra on an application from Karnataka to restrain the Andhra Pradesh Government from utilising the surplus water of Krishna river for executing the Telugu Ganga and Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) projects.