tribuneindia...Spotlight

			Sunday, September 6, 1998
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Uttaranchal Bill
LUCKNOW, Sept 5 (PTI) — The coalition partners in the Kalyan Singh government today hardened their stand on inclusion of Udham Singh Nagar and Hardwar districts in the proposed Uttaranchal state and decided to oppose passage of the Bill in the state legislature commencing on September 18. "We will oppose the Bill on Uttaranchal in its present form both in and outside the state assembly", Janata Dal (R) President Rajaram Pandey and Loktantrik Congress spokesman Amarmani Tripathi told reporters at a joint press conference here.
Missiles test-fired
CHANDIPUR-ON-SEA (Orissa), Sept 5 (PTI) — The short-range surface-to-air missiles, "Trishul" and "Akash", were test-fired from the interim test range here today. Official sources said "Akash" was test-fired first at 1410 hours and "Trishul" at 1507 hours. Before the launching of the two indigenously-developed missiles, the pilotless training aircraft, "Nishant", was also test-flown at about 1245 hours. This is for the first time that two types of missiles, developed by the DRDO, were launched from the ITR here on a single day.

Notice to CBI
GUWAHATI, Sept 5 (PTI) — The Gauhati High Court today issued notice to the CBI on a petition filed by former Minister Dilip Kumar Saikia chargesheeted in the Demow Integrated Cattle Development Project (ICDP) case of the LOC scam seeking stay for further proceedings before the Special Judge. Justice P.C. Phukan issued notice to the CBI asking it to respond as to why Saikia's prayer should not be granted and gave four weeks time to the investigating agency to obtain instruction in the case.
Dropsy claims 1 more life
NEW DELHI, Sept 5 (PTI) — Dropsy claimed one more life in the Capital today, raising the toll to 47 even as 63 new patients were admitted to different hospitals and 18 samples of vegetable oil were found to have argemone. Eighteen of the 20 samples of Rath and Panghat brands of vegetable oil, analysed by the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Department, were found to contain argemone, Delhi Health Minister Harsh Vardhan told reporters here.
40 rebels killed
BOGOTA, Sept 5 (AFP) — Forty Leftist rebels were killed in clashes over the past week in north-eastern Colombia, Army Chief Gen Jorge Mora announced here. Thirty of the rebels were killed over the past two days alone, he said in a statement yesterday.
16 killed in blast
MOSCOW, Sept 5 (AFP) — A powerful explosion in Makhachkala, the capital of the Russian republic of Dagestan, killed at least 16 persons and injured 68 others, Interfax news agency reported today quoting the Dagestan Ministry for Emergency Situations. Four children aged under 15 died in the blast which ripped through a plush residential district in the capital devastating nearby buildings, rescue services said. The death toll looked set to rise as rescuers said more people could still be trapped in the rubble.
Kim Jong-Il
TOKYO, Sept 5 (PTI) — North Korean Parliament today re-elected Kim Jong-Il as Chairman of the prestigious National Defence Commission (NDC) for the second term, a post which has been described as "sacred, important" and highest. Kim, (56), was nominated at the 10th session of the Supreme People’s Assembly which met here this afternoon after nearly a gap of four years. The nomination of Kim as the NDC chairman has put an end to all speculation among Korea watchers that he would be appointed President of Korea.
Iran poll
TEHERAN, Sept 5 (AFP) — Nine women have signed up to stand in next month’s election for Iran’s experts assembly as the authorities decided to admit females and non-clerics to the hitherto male cleric-dominated body, the Interior Ministry said today. A total of 396 person had enrolled for the October 23 poll, including 47 lay people, said Deputy Interior Minister Mostafa Taj-Zadeh.
3 die in accident
JAMMU, Sept 5 (PTI) — Three security personnel were killed and four others injured when their vehicle fell into a deep gorge at Bhalla in the Jammu region, the police said here today. The driver of the escort vehicle and two CRPF jawans died on the spot, while the four injured CRFP jawans were hospitalised in Doda where the condition of one of them was reported to be critical. The vehicle of the police department met with the accident while returning from Bhaderwah to Batote, the police said.