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			Friday, December 25, 1998
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New political party planned
NAGPUR, Dec 24 (UNI) — Sacked Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena rebel Ganesh Naik has decided to float a new political party along with other Sena rebels, Suresh Nawale and Gulabrao Gawande. Talking to reporters here today, Mr Naik said he had submitted the party name and symbol to the Election Commission for registration but declined to reveal the new party's name. Since he and his associates would be joining a party that had no presence in the state legislature, it would not amount to violating the provisions of the anti-defection law, Mr Naik said, adding that the rebel legislators were studying the law minutely.

Elephants kill 5
GUWAHATI, Dec 24 (PTI) — Five persons, including three children, were trampled to death and a woman seriously injured when a herd of wild elephants ran amok in a village in Upper Assam's Tinsukia district last night. Over 60 pachyderms strayed into Tingrai village under Digboi police station and wreaked havoc crushing to death two-year-old girls Sita Majhi and Rita Majhi, Budeswar Konwar (5), Poku Bhumij (13) and Piloo Bhumij (40).

Dipankar Bhattacharya
PATNA, Dec 24 (PTI) — Dipankar Bhattacharya was today unanimously elected general secretary of the CPI-ML (Liberation). The party's central committee elected the 38-year-old Bhattacharya during its two-day emergency meeting which concluded here today. The election followed the demise of Vinod Mishra, one of the vanguards of the Naxalite movement.

Group clash
NEW DELHI, Dec 24 (PTI) — Five persons were injured when two groups clashed and pelted stones at each other at Azadpur village in North West Delhi last night, the police said today. The police has arrested 10 persons on charges of rioting following the incident which occurred around 2100 hrs. There was no communal flare-up and the groups clashed on a petty issue, the police added.

Fishermen released
RAJKOT, Dec 24 (PTI) — A warm farewell was given to 74 Pakistani fishermen on their return journey home from Okha in Jamnagar district of Gujarat today. A total of 149 Pakistani fishermen, detained for violation of territorial laws, were released on December 20 following an earlier agreement between the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan. Of them, 75 fishermen set off for Karachi in five boats despite instructions to reach Okha for the farewell function organised today.

BSP man expelled
MUZAFFARNAGAR, Dec 24 (PTI) — Uttar Pradesh Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) general secretary Tara Chand Shastri was today expelled from the party for his "anti-party activities", a BSP leader said here. Mr Shastri was expelled from the party by state unit party president Dayaram Pal, BSP division in charge Mansur Ali Khan told reporters here. Meanwhile, Mr Shastri said he would join the Congress very soon.

Employees' strike
BANGALORE, Dec 24 (PTI) — Barely 24 hours after calling off their strike, Karnataka Government employees struck work again today demanding pay parity with the central government employees. The Karnataka Government Employees Association has rejected outright the 25 per cent hike announced by the state government. Association president K. Sippe Gowda said it would not accept anything less than implementation in toto of the recommendations of the central Fifth Pay Commission pay scales.

Russian frigates
MOSCOW, Dec 24 (UNI) — The first of three modern frigates being built by Russia for the Indian Navy, will be handed over by the year 2000, according to the state-owned Voice of Russia. Work is progressing as per the contract signed by the two countries, the radio reported yesterday. The vessels will be equipped with ultra-modern equipment and will have elaborate provisions for deploying helicopters and fighter aircraft.