Srinagar, India  - Police fired in the air and used rubber pellets, tear gas, water cannons and batons to disperse thousands of protestors in the streets of towns in the northern Indian state Jammu and Kashmir Monday, officials and witnesses said.

The demonstrators, mostly fruit growers, were attempting to march towards Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administrated Kashmir to protest what they called the "economic blockade" of the Kashmir valley by Hindu activists in the southern Jammu district.

Kashmir, a disputed region between India and Pakistan, is divided into two parts, one administered by Pakistan and the other by India.

New Delhi, Aug 12 : Minister of State for Defence Pallam Raju today felicitated National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets who will participate in the 62nd Independence Day function at the Red Fort on Friday.

In his brief address, Pallam Raju commended the children for their patriotism, zeal and excitement.

The Minister hoped that the cadets, who represent the India of the future, would keep the tricolour flying high and safeguard the hard fought freedom. He appreciated the cadets for their turnout, braving sweating heat and humidity.

New Delhi, Aug 11 : The seventh edition of the Biennial International Aerospace Exposition, popularly known as Aero India - 2009, will be held at the Air Force Station Yelahanka in Bangalore from February 11-15, 2009.

Nearly 600 armament companies from home and abroad are expected to take part in the event.

Armament Majors from several countries including the United States, the UK, Russia, France, Germany, Italy, Israel, Belgium, Brazil, Spain, Ukraine and The Netherlands have confirmed their participation in this Asia''s premier air show.

Around 330 companies from 50 countries abroad and 230 from India will set up their exhibits over an indoor display area of 32,000 sq meters and an additional 5,000 sq meters outdoors.

Karachi, Aug 11 : Pakistan’s interior ministry has reportedly directed the home departments of all the four provinces to keep a strict vigil on Indians arriving in Pakistan on visit visas, and also asked them to submit reports on Indian nationals staying in areas close to the Indo-Pak border.

The directive has been issued amid fears that the locals staying in Pakistan were being used by Indian intelligence agencies (for carrying out nefarious activities).

Wellington, Aug. 11: A top Indian diplomat is heading to New Zealand to ask Wellington for support for the US-India civil nuclear cooperation deal.

New Zealand is a key member of the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, which is expected to meet later this month determine whether India can sign the deal with the United States.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Helen Clark said "New Zealand has reservations" about the deal and will work with others at a crucial meeting of the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers'' Group (NSG) on August 21.

NDTV 24X7 reaffirmed its position as the most popular English news channel award whereas the top honor for best popular Hindi news channel has gone to ‘Aaj Tak’ at the annual News Television awards Awards held in Delhi on Saturday evening.

NDTV Profit’s Shivnath Thukral was announced as the best business news anchor and ‘Business on Course’ was adjudged the best lifestyle and fashion news show at the awards cereony.