MANTRIS FUELLED ASSAM TENSION, TOLL RISES TO 19

Arson was reported in fresh areas as trouble-torn Rabha-Hasong areas of Goalpara and Kamrup districts stay-ed tense Wednesday, as the death toll rose to 19. The Army held flag marches in curfew areas. The security agencies tension was simmering since December, but provocative speeches by Congress ministers and leaders, daring Rabha leaders to stop the panchayat polls, added fuel to the tension. These widely-televised speeches mocked Rabha leaders opposing the elections. Chief minister Tarun Gogoi said: “Let the judicial probe be over, everything will come out.”

*** Petrol, diesel prices may go up this week Age Correspondent New Delhi, Feb. 13

Petrol and diesel prices could go up this week as global crude prices have increased. While oil companies are free to determine petrol prices, the government last month allowed them to hike diesel prices by 50 paise every month.