New Delhi, Jun 19 - In one of their largest relief and rescue operations in the last several decades, defence forces have deployed over 8,500 personnel and around 20 aircraft in rain-ravaged areas of Uttarkhand. Defence Minister A K Antony has ordered the three Services to deploy their maximum possible resources in the state and provide all help to civilians and local authorities in rescue and relief operations.

New Delhi, Jun 19 - The government today cancelled the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra of batches 2 to 10 due to torrential rains and flood in Uttarakhand that have caused heavy damage to the route. The road between Almora and the road-head at Tawaghat has been washed away at several places and some major bridges have also been damaged.

Chennai, Jun 19 - AIADMK's fifth contestant in June 27 biennial elections to Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu K Thangamuthu today withdrew his nomination in line with the party's decision to pull him out to facilitate the victory of CPI leader D Raja. An official release said Thangamuthu withdrew his nomination. Tomorrow is the last day for withdrawal.

New Delhi, Jun 19 - The famous Kedarnath shrine located in the Himalayan ranges in rain-ravaged Uttarakhand is safe but will remain out of bounds for at least one year, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said today. "Kedarnath shrine is safe but it is under a lot of slush," he told PTI here after a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who announced Rs 1,000 crore aid to the state to handle the relief and rescue operations.

New Delhi, Jun 19 - Intensifying its probe in Coalgate, CBI has registered a new case against a Delhi-based steel company for allegedly giving false data about its land holdings and capacity while getting a coal block in Chhattisgarh. CBI sources said Rathi Steel and Power Limited, its Chief Executive Officer Udit Rathi and unknown others have been booked for alleged criminal conspiracy, cheating and for offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

New Delhi, Jun 19 - Claiming that thousands of people have died in floods and landslides in Uttarakhand, BJP today demanded that the disaster that struck the hill state be declared a national calamity. "We demand that urgent steps be taken to describe this disaster as a national calamity. Adequate attention on war footing be given for rehabilitation and rescue operations," BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi told reporters here.

New Delhi, Jun 19 - CBI has registered a fresh case in connection with its coal blocks allocation probe against a Delhi-based steel company and carried out searches at its premises in the National Capital Region. CBI sources said a case has been lodged against Rathi Steel and Power Limited, its Director Udit Rathi and unknown others for alleged cheating and misrepresentation of facts while applying for a coal block.

Poonch (JK), Jun 19 - Pakistani troops today violated ceasefire and opened indiscriminate firing along Line of Control (LOC) in Poonch sector after an infiltration bid was foiled by Indian troops. A group of four armed persons from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) were seen moving towards an Indian forward post in Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch district around 0950 hours, PRO defence, S N Acharya, said.

New Delhi, Jun 18 - Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and the Planning Commission were today at loggerheads at the annual plan meeting with Modi accusing the Centre of adopting 'big brother' attitude disregarding the federal structure. The two-hour long meeting saw the Commission seeking to puncture Modi's claims that it was all milk and honey in Gujarat and telling the Chief Minister that the state was lagging behind in several development indices.

New Delhi, Jun 18 - The first C 17 Globemaster III transport aircraft landed at the Hindan airbase near here today, giving a major boost to the strategic airlift capabilities of the IAF. The first of the 10 Boeing C 17, ordered from the US, touched down at Hindan airbase. The IAF had accepted the aircraft on June 11 at Log Beach, California, a Defence Ministry statement said.

New Delhi, Jun 18 - More than a dozen helicopters have been deployed in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh for relief and rescue operations in the monsoon-ravaged two hill states and all stranded people are expected to be evacuated soon. Union Home Secretary R K Singh said food, medicines and blankets were air-dropped in remote areas of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh for the flood-affected people.

New Delhi, Jun 18 - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's advisor T K A Nair will soon be called by the CBI to record his statement in the coal blocks allocation scam case even as the agency summoned as accused former Coal Secretary H C Gupta and quizzed two former PMO officials.

Thiruvananthapuram, June 18 - As the CPI(M)-led LDF Opposition stepped up the agitation over the solar scam inside and outside the Assembly, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today categorically rejected the demand for his resignation asserting that he had not done any wrong. While the Opposition forced the adjournment of the House minutes after the sitting began and their feeder outfits hit the streets across the state, Chandy ruled out yielding to Opposition pressures.

Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 18 - Kerala's commercial hub Kochi will host the country meeting of the World Economic Forum on November 8 and 9 this year, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said. This will be the 29th edition of the World Economic Forum-India meeting.

Lucknow, Jun 18 - Former UP minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya today gave his consent for a lie-detection test in connection with the murder case of Kunda DSP Zia-ul-Haq. CBI sources said Raja Bhaiya appeared before the Special CBI court here and gave his consent to undergo the polygraph test in connection with the murder which took place in his assembly constituency on March 2.