S P O T L I G H T

Tiwari sworn in Uttaranchal CM
Dehra Dun, March 2
Mr Narain Dutt Tiwari was today sworn in as the third Chief Minister of Uttaranchal.Governor Surjeet Singh Barnala administered the oath of office and secrecy to him at a simple, but impressive, ceremony at the Keshav Dev Malviya auditorium of the ONGC here, which was specially decorated for the occasion. Former Uttaranchal Chief Ministers Nityanand Swami and Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, state Congress President Harish Rawat, Congress General Secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad and senior Congress leaders Subodh Kant Sahay and Satpal Maharaj were among the prominent politicians present on the occasion. UNI

NEW Manipur CM
Imphal, March 2
Manipur Governor Ved Marwah will invite Secular Progressive Front (SPF) and CLP leader Okram Ibobi Singh to form the ministry after the revocation of the President’s rule in the state, SPF sources said today. The sources said Mr Okram Ibobi Singh could not be invited to form the ministry without revoking the President’s rule which was imposed in the state on June 2, 2001.A Raj Bhavan release said the Governor had recommended to the President for revocation of the proclamation and it was expected anytime. PTI

13 killed in Nepal
Kathmandu, March 2
Four policemen and nine Maoist rebels were killed in various encounters between the guerrillas and the Nepalese security forces yesterday, the Defence Ministry said today. Two policemen, including a Sub-Inspector, were killed when the security forces retaliated a surprise attack by terrorists at Ilaka police post at Belauri in Kanchanpur district yesterday. Two ultras lost their lives during the exchange of fire. PTI

3 die in blast
Jammu, March 2
Three children were killed in a blast at Hatni village under Manjakote police station in Rajouri district late last night, the police said today. The blast took place at a cattle shed belonging to Mohammed Sharif. His three children, identified as Mohammed Siraz (13), Zamila Kosar (14) and Zabina Kosar (11), were killed on the spot, the police added. UNI