Srinagar, Feb 11: Srinagar observed a shutdown on Wednesday in response to a call by separatists to mark the 25th anniversary of the hanging of separatist leader Maqbool Bhat in a Delhi jail.

The city wore a deserted look in response to the shutdown in Kashmir valley called by the Hurriyat Conference.

The Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) in a statement called Maqbool Bhat "the pioneer of the ongoing freedom struggle of Kashmir."

"People in Kashmir remember Maqbool Bhat today. The separatists called for a shutdown today and people are supporting it fully," said Ghulam Rasool Wani, a resident.

New Delhi, Feb. 11: The Indian Premier League (IPL) has barred Pakistani speedster Muhammad Asif for a year after he tested positive in a drug scandal during the league's inaugural season last year.

A statement issued by the IPL drug tribunal said the ban imposed on Asif will be from September 22, 2008 to September 22, 2009, which means he will miss the Twenty20 extravaganza's second season starting from April 20, 2009.

New Delhi, Feb 11 : The Budget Session of Parliament will begin on February 12.

The session will be divided into ten sittings during which a vote on account on railway and general budgets will be held.

The Interim railway budget will be presented on February 13, while the interim general budget will be presented on February 16.

The regular budget will be presented by the new government after the elections, expected to end by May.

During this last session, the BJP is likely raise the issue of the sacking of Election Commissioner Navin Chawla over charges of partisanship.

New York, Feb. 11 : United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has asked for resumption of bilateral talks between India and Pakistan.

Addressing media persons at a monthly press conference, Moon said the resumption of dialogue between both countries is very important for establishing peace in the region.

Referring to his recent visit to Islamabad and New Delhi, Moon said the leaderships of both nations have assured of full co-operation with each other in connection with the Mumbai terror attack probe.

"I am `reasonably relieved and also gratified' that the leaders of the two countries had committed to fully co-operate with each other in investigating the Mumbai terror attacks," The Daily Times quoted Moon, as saying.

Rohtas, Feb. 10: UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday accused the BJP of trying to divide the nation on communal lines by raising the issue of Ram Temple at Ayodhya the time and again.

Addressing a meeting at Dalmiya Nagar in Rohtas district in Bihar, Sonia said that the BJP is trying to capture power in the name of the God and it clearly shows that communal forces has no other issue to raise in the coming general elections.

While urging the people of India to defeat the nefarious designs of the BJP, Sonia said that the UPA would leave no stone unturned in maintaining its tradition of social harmony.

Srinagar, Feb. 10 : Protestors demanding the removal of a paramilitary camp from their area clashed with security forces here on Tuesday.

The protestors alleged that the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) deployed in Maisum area had beaten the shopkeepers and ransacked their shops.

Police had to resort to ''lathi charge'' and tear smoke shells at the protestors who prolonged their attacks on the set-ups.

A number of locals as well as the security personnel were injured in the incident.