Kuala Lumpur, Sept. 25 : A group of 96 Indian non-governmental organizations want the Government to release the five Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) leaders detained before Deepavali next month.

According to The Star, they said it would be the best gift to the Indian community if the five -- M. Manoharan, P. Uthayakumar, V. Ganabatirau, R. Kenghadharan and K. Vasanthakumar -- detained for 268 days under the Internal Security Act (ISA) were released.

At a meeting organized by the MIC Youth, they said they supported the appeal made by MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to free them.

Washington, Sept. 25 : US President Bush is under pressure to use a meeting with India''s Prime Minister today to press for urgent action to halt the anti-Christian riots that continue to sweep the subcontinent.

At least 45 Christians have been murdered by mobs of Hindu fanatics over the past month, according to church officials.

An estimated 50,000 people have been driven from their villages and 4,000 homes destroyed amid an upsurge in Hindu nationalism.

Amid evidence that the violence is spreading, a US federal commission has called on Bush, a Christian who has worn his faith on his sleeve while in office, to press the issue when he meets the Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh.

New Delhi, Sept 25 : Banking operations were affected as the strike call given by the employees union demanding settlement of issues like wage revision and termination of job outsourcing in banking sector among other issues entered the second day today.

According to reports, operations were almost paralysed in the public sector banks from various parts of the country.

However, cash needs of ordinary customers were met by ATMs.

On Wednesday, operations of state-run banks remained almost paralysed as about nine lakh employees went on stir.

Benazir Bhutto's soul is sure to rest in peace as the Indian PM Mr. Manmohan Singh and the newly sworn in President Mr. Zardari have decided to strengthen the ties between India and Pakistan. The two met at the 63'rd UNGA session in New York.

Mr. Singh congratulated the President for Return of Democracy to Pakistan. The president reaffirmed that Pakistan's commitment to January 6, 2004 remains intact. The Duo agreed to work urgently towards the composite dialogue which included eight major topics for e.g. economy, border disputes and terrorism besides others.

New York - The leaders of India and Pakistan agreed to jump-start peace talks with new discussions planned between the nuclear-armed neighbours before the end of the year.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, who took office this month, came to the decision when they met Wednesday night in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

New York, Sept 25: