tribuneindia...Spotlight

			Thursday, October 1, 1998
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15 feared drowned in boat mishap
VARANASI, Sept 30 (PTI) — At least 15 persons were feared drowned when their boat capsized in the Ganga here, Additional District Magistrate S.K. Dwivedi said today. Seven bodies have been recovered so far, while eight persons were reported missing, he said, adding the boat was carrying 34 persons, mostly tourists from South India when it capsized. The accident occurred when the boat dashed against iron rods and barricades near the ghat and capsized, Mr Dwivedi said.
Sukh Ram resource panel chief
Tribune News Service
SHIMLA, Sept 30 — Mr Sukh Ram, president of the Himachal Vikas Congress, today took over as chairman of the resource mobilisation and employment generation committee.
Talking to newsmen he said he had accepted the assignment to fulfil his dream to make Himachal a prosperous state. His role would be of an adviser but he would provide inputs to policy makers. The scope of his functioning would be very wide and involve almost all the departments.
He would endeavour to make Himachal a "power state" by expeditious exploitation of hydel potential and promoting tourism. He would make all possible efforts to create an investor-friendly environment to attract private and foreign investment.

50 hurt in lathi charge
NEW DELHI, Sept 30 — Several persons, including women activists of the Delhi Pradesh Youth Congress (DPYC) and policemen, were injured in a clash between DPYC rallyists and the police at Pant Marg in the Capital today. The DCP of New Delhi district, Mr Anand Mohan, said 25 policemen were injured in the incident. The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) president, Mr Manish Tewari, claimed that 25 rallyists were injured. According to the police, 23 persons have been arrested on charges of rioting.
Russian Cabinet
MOSCOW, Sept 30 (Reuters) — President Boris Yeltsin named seven government ministers today, leaving just one major post vacant in a team primed to tackle Russia's worst financial crisis in years. Yeltsin signed decrees appointing five new ministers and reappointing two from the government of Sergei Kiriyenko, sacked on August 23 over its failure to end the economic crisis.
5 children killed
AHMEDABAD, Sept 30 (PTI) — Five children were killed and eight injured when a truck ran over them in Palanpur taluka of Banaskantha district late last night. Superintendent of Police of Banaskantha Rahul Sharma told reporters the children, between 10 and 12 years, were on their way to Data village to watch "garba" when the mishap occurred near Pasia village.
VHP's demand
NEW DELHI, Sept 30 (PTI) — The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) today demanded that foreign missionaries leave the country blaming them for being behind insurgency in some parts of India. "Foreign missionaries should be removed from the country," VHP general secretary (Giriraj Kishore told reporters here alleging that they were involved in forcible conversions in some states and insurgency in the North-East. "We will first appeal to the missionaries to go," he said.
55 houses burnt
AGARTALA, Sept 30 (UNI) — A violent mob burnt down at least 55 houses belonging to tribals at Purba Hawaibari under Teliamura police station in West Tripura late last night. The police said here today, that the mob's action was apparently in retaliation to militants' firing at a nearby area. Most of the houses were deserted when the mob set them ablaze. Six persons were arrested in this connection.
Outpost blasted
HYDERABAD, Sept 30 (UNI) — Four jawans of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were injured when Naxalites belonging to the banned People's War Group (PWG) blasted an armed police outpost at Ramireddy village in Nizamabad district of Andhra Pradesh in this morning. The police here said that about 15 armed Naxalites went to the outpost and blasted it by using detonators. The injured jawans were stated to be out of danger, the police added.
Saundaryalahari
NEW DELHI, Sept 30 (PTI) — Saundaryalahari, a compilation of verses written by Adi Shankaracharya in the eighth century, was launched on a CD-ROM, CD audio and audio cassette by a Gandhinagar-based software company here today. Saundaryalahari — a compilation of 100 verses written in praise of the supreme goddess — is the first such title developed in the country, D.V.R. Seshadri, director of Software Frontiers Ltd, told reporters here.