tribuneindia...Spotlight

			Thursday, August 20, 1998
weather today's calendar

6 Naxals killed in encounter
HYDERABAD, Aug 19 (PTI) — Six Naxalites were killed in a police encounter today while Peoples' War Group ultras shot dead two CISF jawans and a sarpanch in separate incidents here, the police said. Six Naxalites, including three women, were killed in an encounter with the police at Gollapalli village in Karimnagar district, it said. The anti-Naxal wing of the state special police were on a routine combing operation in the Dharmapuri Mandal area when ultras of the local Dalam opened fire at them. The police retaliated, killing six of them on the spot.
Rupee dips further
MUMBAI, Aug 19 (PTI) — The rupee tested new record lows of Rs 43.45/46 against US greenback in early trade at the Interbank Forex market here today on a spillover of dollar shortcovering by banks and corporates. Nervousness gripped the Forex market following a combination of factors such as political uncertainties at the Centre and renewed fears of fresh meltdown in Asian currencies after the Russian de facto devaluation of the rouble, dealers said. Opening lower at Rs 43.37/40 per dollar, the rupee dipped initially to a fresh all-time low at Rs 43.45/46 on a rush to cover dollar position.

Assam ministry expanded
GUWAHATI, Aug 19 (PTI) — Assam Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta today expanded his ministry for the first time by inducting seven members, all new faces, raising its strength to 32. Besides inducting three as Cabinet ministers and four ministers of state in the 27-month-old Asom Gana Parishad-led ministry, the Chief Minister elevated five ministers of state. The Governor, Lt-Gen S.K. Sinha (retd), administered the oath of office and secrecy to them at a simple ceremony here.
Direct train
NEW DELHI, Aug 19 (PTI) — A direct express train has been provided between Delhi and Ahmedabad by merging the Delhi-Ajmer and Ajmer-Ahmedabad services. The stoppages, route and composition of the new train from Delhi Sarai Rohilla will be same as that of the existing ones running on the route, a Northern Railway release said here today.
6 killed in clash
BELGAUM, Aug 19 (PTI) — Six persons were killed and several others, including 14 police personnel, injured when two groups of a temple trust clashed, forcing the police to open fire in air at Hulkund village of this district yesterday, a top official said today. The situation is now under control, he said. Trouble started when villagers of Hulkund did not allow others to participate in a function.
New portfolios
SHILLONG, Aug 19 (PTI) — Meghalaya Chief Minister B.B. Lyngdoh today distributed portfolios among nine new entrants to his 35-member ministry after making some major changes involving revenue, urban affairs, supplies and excise. The Chief Minister will hold Cabinet affairs, political and other portfolios not allotted to other ministers. Deputy Chief Minister D.D. Lapang will hold planning, personnel, industries and programme implementation. Mr A.H. Scott Lyngdoh retains finance, but urban affairs has been taken away from him.
Nagaland CM
NEW DELHI, Aug 19 (UNI) — Nagaland Chief Minister S.C. Jamir has been selected for this year's National Integration Award. The award, instituted by the Forum for Unity and Integrity, will be presented to him at a function here on August 22. Mr Jamir has been chosen for the award in recognition of his ability to provide a stable government in Nagaland, contributing to the uplift of the living standards of the people and his excellent relations with the Centre, forum president Surinder Pal Singh said.