New Delhi, Aug 16 (PTI) These are the top stories from the northern region at 9 pm.

These are the top stories from the northern region at 9 pm. SRINAGAR DEL47 JK-2ND LD SITUATION Phone lines in Kashmir to be restored over weekend, schools to reopen next week: JK chief secy Srinagar: Most phone lines in the Valley will be gradually restored over the weekend and schools will reopen area-wise next week, a top Jammu and Kashmir official said on Friday while announcing the easing of restrictions in a phased and "orderly way".

SRINAGAR DES25 JK-ILTIJA-LETTER Mehbooba's daughter says Kashmir has been engulfed in 'clouds of darkness' Srinagar: Iltija Mufti, the daughter of former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, has said in an open letter that Kashmir has been engulfed in "clouds of darkness" ever since the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir was abrogated and feared for the safety of Kashmiris. JAIPUR DEL61 DEF-RAJNATH-2NDLD NUCLEAR What happens in future depends on circumstances: Rajnath on 'no first use' of nuke policy Jaipur/New Delhi: India is "firmly committed" to its 'no first use' of nuclear weapons policy but future of the security doctrine will depend on the circumstances, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday, in remarks which came in the midst of rising tension between New Delhi and Islamabad over Kashmir.

JIND DEL49 HR-2NDLD SHAH Shah says scrapping J&K special status big milestone, slams Congress for not doing it Jind (Haryana): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said scrapping the special status of Jammu and Kashmir is a "big milestone” for the country’s unity and accused the Congress of not taking the step because of its "vote-bank greed". DEL12 UP-SENGAR-ADVT Sengar shares space with PM Modi in advt by BJP leader Unnao (UP): Rape accused MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar may have been expelled from the BJP but he found a prominent place along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an advertisement given by a party leader on the occasion of Independence Day.

JAIPUR DES17 RJ-DALIT-SUICIDE R'than: Father of Dalit man beaten to death last month commits suicide Jaipur: The father of a Dalit man who was allegedly beaten to death last month after his motorcycle hit a woman in Rajasthan's Alwar district has committed suicide, police said on Friday. LUCKNOW DES29 UP-PROTEST Magsaysay Award winner says put under house arrest; police deny Lucknow: Magsaysay Award-winner Sandeep Pandey claimed he was put under house arrest on Friday by police in a bid to prevent him from participating in a candlelight march here against the scrapping of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and shutdown in the Valley.

DES5 UP-MAYAWATI LYNCHING Mayawati slams Raj govt for acquittal of accused in Pehlu Khan case Lucknow: BSP President Mayawati on Friday charged the Congress government in Rajasthan with laxity, saying the accused in the Pehlu Khan mob lynching case were acquitted due to its "gross negligence". DES9 RJ-RAINS-DEATHS Flood-like situation in Hadauti region of Rajasthan, 5 killed in rain-related incidents Jaipur: Five people were killed in rain-related incidents in the past 24 hours in Rajasthan which was lashed by incessant rainfall, creating a flood-like situation in Hadauti region of the state, an official said on Friday. LGD22 SC-CHARDHAM SC clears Chardham highway project, forms fresh committee for environmental concerns New Delhi: The Supreme Court has cleared the decks for the ambitious Chardham highway project for all-weather connectivity to four holy towns of Uttarakhand and constituted a fresh high-powered committee to address environmental concerns.

LUCKNOW DES13 UP-VAJPAYEE TRIBUTES UP govt to set up residential schools named after Vajpayee Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday announced that the state government will set up residential schools named after Atal Bihari Vajpayee in all 18 divisions and a memorial in Bateshwar, the former prime minister's native village in Agra. NEW DELHI DES24 DL-CONSTABLE-DEAD RPF head constable commits suicide at Anand Vihar Railway Station New Delhi: A 50-year-old Railway Police Force (RPF) head constable allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service pistol on Friday morning at the Anand Vihar Railway Station, police said.

GHAZIABAD DES11 NCR-COP-SUICIDE Cop shoots himself dead in Ghaizabad Ghaziabad: A sub-inspector allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself dead with his service revolver at his residence here on Friday, police said..