tribuneindia...Spotlight

			Sunday, September 13, 1998
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RJD panel to probe killing
PATNA, Sept 12 (PTI) — An eight-member committee of the ruling Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) led by state party’s Dalit cell chairman Toofani Ram would investigate the recent killing of three Dalits at Vilaspur village in Nalanda district on Monday. State RJD secretary-general and former MP Ramkripal Yadav told reporters the committee would leave for Vilaspur tomorrow to study the reasons that led to Monday’s incident in which three persons, including a woman, were killed in a group clash.
25 drowned
DHAKA, Sept 12 (AFP) — At least 25 persons drowned when a ferry sank on a flood-swollen river near here today, rescue officials said. At least 25 passengers swam to safety while an equal number of others drowned, but their bodies disappeared in the swirling Buriganga river, officials said.

Indo-Malaysian pact
NEW DELHI, Sept 12 (PTI) — India and Malaysia today signed an agreement to form a joint committee to strengthen and improve scientific cooperation between the two countries. The agreement was signed by Union Science and Technology Minister Murli Manohar Joshi and his Malaysian counterpart Dato’ Law Heing Ding in Kuala Lumpur, an official release said here. Under the accord, the exclusive joint committee will promote research and development including mutual exchange of scientific data and scientific personnel.
Phones dead
JAIPUR, Sept 12 (PTI) — A fire in the Durgapura telephone exchange here last night rendered 9,878 telephones dead, telecom sources said here today. All the telephone numbers of the levels 54, 55 and 72 in the Gurgapura area of Jaipur City have been affected by the fire, the sources said, adding that the cause of fire is being ascertained. Work to restore the lines has begun.
Customs’ staff stir
MUMBAI, Sept 12 (PTI) — About 50,000 Customs and Central Excise staff all over India are to go on an indefinite strike from September 15 in support of their various demands. Meetings with the Chairman and Member (Personnel) of the Central Board of Excise and Customs "have failed to yield the desired result" and hence the nationwide strike, the Central Excise and Customs Ministerial Officers Association general secretary S. Venkata Subramaniam said.
Red alert in DVC
CALCUTTA, Sept 12 (PTI) — A red alert was sounded in the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) as the water level at Panchet reservoir rose just short of the danger level of 425 feet following heavy rains in the upper valley of the Damodar river. DVC sources said local people had been warned as this could lead to an inundation in the area. Further release of water from the reservoir could take place if the inflow at Maithon and Panchet dams increased, the sources said.
Police academy
HYDERABAD, Sept 12 (PTI) — Union Home Minister L.K. Advani would attend the three-day golden jubilee celebrations of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy here starting from September 14. Mr Advani is scheduled to review the golden jubilee parade, lay the foundation stone for the golden jubilee block and deliver the keynote address at a seminar on the "Role of I.P.S. in providing effective police leadership" on September 15, Director of the academy P.V. Rajgopal told reporters today.