tribuneindia...Spotlight

			Monday, September 21, 1998
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10 killed as building caves in
GHAZIABAD, Sept 20 (PTI) — Ten labourers were killed, seven injured and several others feared trapped when a major portion of a four-storeyed residential complex caved in at Shalimar Garden in the district this morning. The injured, including three women, who were pulled out of the debris, are being treated at the nearby MMG Hospital, fire brigade officials said. At least 30 labourers were in the complex when the mishap occurred, they said adding that rescue work was on in full swing with nearly 100 rescue workers from fire brigade and police having been pressed into service. "The toll is likely to go up as at least 15 labourers are still feared trapped under the debris," a senior police official said.

Illicit liquor toll
KATIHAR (Bihar), Sept 20 (UNI) — At least 15 persons have died after consuming spurious country-made liquor in the Korha police station area in Katihar district during the past 12 hours. Katihar Civil Surgeon Jagdish Prasad told UNI that 23 persons were undergoing treatment at Korha hospital and 16 one had been admitted to Katihar Sadar Hospital. He said while five had died at the Korha hospital, at least 10 others were reported to have died in the adjoining villages since last night.

Bardhan re-elected
CHENNAI, Sept 20 (UNI) — Mr A.B. Bardhan was today unanimously re-elected General Secretary of the communist party of India (CPI) for another three-year term. The 125-member new National Council of the party which was elected at the 17th party congress yesterday met here this morning and re-elected Mr Bardhan. A 31-member national executive of the party was also elected at today’s meeting.

4 held for blast
COLOMBO, Sept 20 (PTI) — The Sri Lankan police, probing the September 11 bombing of the Municipal Council building in northern Jaffna town that killed the Mayor and top security officials, have arrested four employees of the council. The arrested included an office assistant and two watchmen.

MP Governor not satisfied
RAIPUR, Sept 20 (PTI) — Madhya Pradesh Governor Bhai Mahavir said today he was not satisfied with the law and order situation in the state and the functioning of the police, whose nexus with criminals had reached new heights. The Governor said though the law and order situation in the state was poor, it was good as compared to other states in the country. The governor said there appeared to be a communication gap between him and the government.

R.K. Kumar
CHENNAI, Sept 20 (PTI) — AIADMK supremo Jayalalitha today removed former union minister R.K. Kumar from the post of organising secretary of the party. Ms Jayalalitha, however, did not mention the reason for the action. Mr Kumar, who was inducted in the Vajpayee Ministry as Minister of State for Finance, resigned from his ministerial post, citing "ill-health" as reason.

Cop opens fire
GAYA (BIHAR) Sept 20 (PTI) — At least two persons were killed on the spot when a Bihar Military Police jawan fired at a shop at Karpi Market in Jehanabad district last night. Policemen were deployed at the market to maintain law and order.

Miss America
ATLANTIC CITY, Sept 20 (Reuters) — A 24-year-old diabetic wearing an insulin pump has won the 1999 Miss America title and pledged to devote her one-year reign to raising awareness of the disease. "I'm a normal girl. I'm not perfect, and Miss America should not be perfect," Miss Virginia Nicole Johnson, said after being crowned with the title yesterday.

Illegal hooch toll 21
KATIHAR (Bihar), Sept 20 (UNI) — At least 21 people have died after consuming spurious country liquor under Korha police station area of Katihar district during the past 12 hours. District Magistrate Harjot Kaur said here that 15 people died in Korha Hospital while six perished in the adjoining villages and Katihar Sadar Hospital.

Rocket attack
ISLAMABAD, Sept 20 (AFP) — Around 180 people were killed and wounded in opposition rocket attacks on Kabul today, the Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) quoted a Taliban spokesman as saying. At least 20 people were killed and 40 injured when a rocket hit the densely populated Khair Khana district while more than 100 were killed and wounded when a rocket slammed into a market later, Taliban spokesman Abdul Hai Mutmain told AIP. Several more were killed after a third rocket landed near the city’s Maryam High School, he said, adding that a total of 180 people were killed and wounded in the attacks.