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WTO: India to contest US plaint on curbsNEW DELHI: India will press its case against the United States on removal of import curbs and file a...

WTO: India to contest US plaint on curbs

NEW DELHI: India will press its case against the United States on removal of import curbs and file a written response by May 1 before the dispute settlement body of the World Trade Organisation. The Union cabinet, which met here today, authorised the Commerce Ministry to take necessary action, even as it decided to continue bilateral negotiations if the US was flexible in its approach. Attorney General Soli F Sorabjee will represent the country at the first hearing scheduled for May 7 in Geneva.

26 die in mishap

JAMMU: At least 26 people were killed and seven injured when a bus plunged into Chenab river in Drabshalla, 200 kms east of here this evening, official sources said. The bus was on its way to Kashtiwar from Pull Doda when it slipped off the road and plunged 350 feet into the river. The injured were admitted to Kisthawar hospital and condition of three was stated to be serious.

Mercenaries killed

JAMMU: At least six foreignmercenaries were killed and three seriously wounded in a gun fight with security forces in Phagla village in Poonch district on Friday night, police said. Following a tip off, security forces launched an operation to capture them, asking the militants to surrender but the latter opened fire. The secuirty forces retaliated killing six of them and injuring three. In Kashmir Valley, a big dump of arms and ammunition was seized while three persons, including a militant, were killed since Friday evening. Two militants laid down arms and another was arrested during the period.

Five lynched

HOWRAH: Five persons were lynched by irate villagers at Khosalpur village in Howrah district on Friday, according to the sub-divisional police officer Satyajit Banerjee here today. Eight persons have been arrested in this connection after night-long raids in the area, Banerjee said. The incident stemmed from an old feud between two groups of Singti village. One of the groups allegedly brought with it five persons froma different place to teach the other group a lesson. Getting wind of the move, the five men were chased by the villagers and were subsequently beaten up. Four died on the spot while one succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.