Anna's Lokpal gun on Congress head again

NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES

Photographs of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Afghan President Hamid Karzai signing a landmark strategic pact dominate the front pages of most papers as many highlight the fact that India would train Afghan security forces under this pact.

The ongoing controversy over the arrest of IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt by the Gujarat government continues to get front-page attention in most papers. "Give security to Bhatt, Centre tells Gujarat Govt", reports the Times of India. The Tribune and the Indian Express highlight on their front pages, Bhatt's rejection of a local court's proposal that if he went on police remand for 3-4 hours, and answer all their questions. The court would have heard his bail plea yesterday itself.

Anna Hazare's statement that he will campaign against the Congress in the forthcoming polls in five States if it didn't get the Lokpal bill passed in the winter session of Parliament is noticed in the press. The Mail Today observes "Anna's Lokpal gun on Congress head again".

The Hindustan Times, in a special front page lead writes, "Bengal Maoists offer one month ceasefire: Ask govt to rein in forces; experts say its a ploy to regroup". This story is also reported in the Asian Age, the Statesman and the Indian Express.

The Central Information Commission's move to protect RTI activists is widely noticed. The Times of India writes "CIC shield to protect RTI crusaders". Elaborating on the measures it proposes to take, the Hindu reports "Information sought by whistle blowers, since killed, to be made public".

The Pioneer reports that the Government has drawn up a 100 crore rupee plan to revamp Doordarshan's DD India channel which will showcase programmes like Incredible India and popularise the country as a tourist destination among foreigners.

And finally, in some good news for arthritis patients, the Times of India reports that British scientists as saying that just a jab could help arthritis patients grow new knee or hip joints and thus avoid replacement surgeries.