Government on Thursday informed Parliament that it has no records of calls made by home ministry “official or officials” to the then chief secretary of Madhya Pradesh for securing release of former Union Carbide Corporation chief Warren Anderson in 1984 and on the “safe passage” assurance reportedly given to him.

The Indian Air Force has received permission from the government to fire back at Naxalites in self-defence in case IAF helicopters are attacked, top defence sources confirmed Thursday. However, stringent conditionalities have been attached to the permission given, to prevent any collateral damage.

The Kerala high court order setting aside the election of Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh was stayed by the Supreme Court on Thursday while admitting his appeal against the HC verdict.

A tragedy struck salvage operations on Wed-nesday when a fisherman in a boat carrying media personnel fell into the sea. The Indian Coast Guard had to deploy a helicopter to rescue a youth who had gone missing, but could not find his body till late in the evening. The Indian Coast Guard issued an advisory to the media not to venture into the sea.

Secret cells of CPI Maoists are operating in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. If they are not neutralised the situation would go out of control, said director-general of police R.R. Girish Kumar.

Maintaining that it is opposed to the PM’s offer to consider autonomy for J&K within the ambit of the Constitution, the Opposit-ion BJP on Wednesday said autonomy for the state, if it reverses the state’s integration with the country, will not be tolerated. The party said it is not opposed to giving “more powers” to the state. The BJP criticised the PM for “reigniting” the autonomy debate and termed it “unfortunate”.

The United Nations is reported to have asked the Indian authorities to stop riot-boffin Rapid Action Front (RAF) from wearing the distinctive powder-blue helmets of the UN peacekeeping force.

The Bhakra-Beas Management Board has sounded its intent to increase the discharge of water following continuing rainfall leading to unacceptably high levels in its reservoirs.

Centre on Wednesday assured Parliament that the welfare, safety and security of the country’s fishermen were given the highest priority. External affairs minister S.M. Krishna said, while replying to a Calling Attention Notice on the issue of killing of Indian fishermen and continuous attacks on them by Sri Lankan Navy, he would take up

Breaking his silence for the first time after being sacked as Commonwealth Games Organising Committee joint director, Mr T.S. Darbari alleged he was being targeted by OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi. He claimed he had nothing to do with the deal related to the UK-based AM Films, which has come to the attention of investigative agencies following allegations of irregularities in payments.