Naggar (Kullu), Jan. 2 : A number of villagers in Himachal Pradesh's Naggar Village participate in a unique procession in which the participants give choicest of expletives as part of an age-old ritual to keep any probable evil spirit at bay from the vicinity of the area.

About two thousand villagers took part in this annual procession earlier this week, which went around the village following the age-old practice here.

"We take out a procession hurling obscenities, to ward off the evil spirits," said Joginder Acharya, the priest.

Srinagar, Jan. 2 : As large number of people around the country cherished being in holidaying mood or spending a good time with friends and families, Kashmiris in Srinagar opted to pray for peace and harmony in the Jammu and Kashmir region on the first day of
2009.

Srinagar witnessed over two month-long agitation and violence over Amarnath land transfer row, which brought the life almost to standstill here. On the first day of the year, people prayed to the almighty for a peaceful year ahead.

New Delhi, Jan. 2 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today sanctioned an ex-gratia amount of Rs. 200,000 to next of kin of those killed and Rs. 100,000 for the seriously injured in the Thursday's serial bomb blasts.

Dr. Singh has expressed grief over death of people in the three bomb blasts that took place at three places in Assam's capital.

Srinagar, Jan. 2 : Accepting people's mandate in the recently concluded elections, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, chief of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that his party would play the role of a responsible opposition in the state.

"I assure the people that the PDP will fortify the mandate and safeguard their aspiration as a responsible opposition party," said Sayeed said.

He also said that the UPA government should not misconstrue large voter turnout as a solution of the Kashmir issue and demanded renewal of the resolve of the Kashmir resolution process.

New Delhi, Jan 2 : The New coalition government in Kashmir headed by National Conference party chief Omar Abdullah will assume office on Monday.

Announcing this while talking to reporters after holding a meeting with senior leaders of the Congress party here today, chief ministerial designate Omar Abdullah said that he will take oath as the next Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir along with five or six ministers.

Abdullah''s National Conference (NC) party and the Congress party have entered into an alliance to form the government in the state.

Guwahati, Jan 2 : Union Home Minister P Chidambaram today said that militancy will be dealt with firmly for restoration of normalcy and development in the North East.

Talking to reporters after reviewing the security scenario of Assam at a Unified Command meeting held under the chairmanship of State Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in Dispur, he said, security forces have been asked to be more stern on the militants and no quarter will be given to them to escape.