Saturday, October 8 2005 19:56 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chandigarh: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states attending a conclave here were immediately escorted out of the venue when a massive earthquake jolted Chandigarh and other northern parts of the country today.

Strong tremors were felt at around 9.22 am, minutes after the Prime Minister concluded his half-an-hour address to the Congress Chief Ministers Conclave.

Other dignitaries were also advised to move out of the venue to the lawns of the Punjab Bhawan.

The deliberations, which entered the second day today, resumed when the tremors stopped, after about three minutes.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil immediately contacted officials of his Ministry to ascertain the details.

In the adjoining Haryana Niwas, where the Media Centre has been set up, a large number of journalists of the print and electronic media and officials rushed out.

Fans and chandeliers shook violently prompting the media persons and officials to rush down the stairs into open space.