Tuesday, September 22, 1998

Onion sells at Rs 40 a kg in Delhi
NEW DELHI, Sept. 21 — Onion prices skyrocketed, in most vegetable markets in the Capital today, with the commodity selling between Rs 35 and Rs 40 a kilo.

Bardhan sees move to bypass Parliament
CHENNAI, Sept 21 — CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan today said the Vajpayee government might bypass Parliament and dismiss the Rabri Devi government in Bihar and call for fresh elections in the state.

Hardwar happy to be in UP
HARDWAR, Sept 21 — A wave of glee has gripped this holy town after the news spread here that the Uttar Pradesh Council of Ministers has decided to keep Hardwar out of the proposed Uttaranchal state.

Tortoises come to hares’ rescue
SURAT, Sept 21 — This time around, the hare and the tortoise together raced against a watery grave.

Carcinogen found in Yamuna
NEW DELHI, Sept 21 — In what can be called a potential health threat, scientists from Jawaharlal Nehru University, here, have found Polychlorinated Benzene, a well known cancer causing agent, in the Yamuna, which is the main source of drinking water in Delhi.

‘Tests met security needs’
PUNE, Sept 21 — The Pokhran II nuclear tests with one stroke met India’s macro-security needs and brought into focus its commitment to disarmament, a defence analyst has said.

Andersen awards presented
NEW DELHI, Sept 21 — Well-known American author Katherine Paterson and noted French illustrator Tomi Ungerer have won this year’s prestigious Hans Christian Andersen award for their contribution to children’s literature.

TN CM surprised at Vajpayee’s remarks
CHENNAI, Sept 21 — Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi today expressed surprise over Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee’s remarks that Article 356 could be invoked even if a state government enjoyed majority in the House.

Jaya demands DMK minister’s arrest
CHENNAI, Sept 21 — AIADMK general secretary Jayalalitha today sought the arrest of Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister Suresh Rajan for allegedly attacking a Dalit member of his own party near Nagercoil recently.

Janata Dal lashes out at BJP
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, Sept 21 — The Janata Dal today criticised the BJP for its failure to control the prices of essential commodities, inability to maintain law and order and check the adulteration of mustard oil in the Capital.

"Nuclear explosions were only a ploy to divert attention from the unprecedented inflation in recent times," former Prime Minister, I. K. Gujral said while addressing a rally organised by the party’s Delhi unit here.

Mr Gujral said the BJP governments, both in Delhi and at the Centre, were making promises to regularise unauthorised colonies and improving the water and power situation in view of the forthcoming assembly poll.

But, he said "there is not a single word on controlling prices or compensating dropsy victims." He attacked the Delhi Government for its inability to check the adulteration in mustard oil which resulted in the death of over 60 persons in the Capital.

Mr Gujral, who demanded the arrest and trial of those named in the Srikrishna report, said the Centre had an "irresponsible" attitude towards ties with the neighbouring countries.

Earlier, party activists raising anti-Vajpayee and anti-BJP slogans marched from the Ramlila Grounds to Jantar Mantar where they burnt an effigy of the BJP Government.

Janata Dal president, Sharad Yadav, criticised the government for failing to control the rising prices of essential commodities, saying "onions are selling for Rs 45 a kg taking them out of the reach of the common man."

He also blamed the Delhi Government for the worsening law and order situation in the Capital and for reversing many policies and programmes implemented by the United Front Government for the poor.

The "only thing the BJP government did in the past four months was the Pokhran explosions," Mr Sharad Yadav said and claimed the blasts were a fraud on 40 crore people who went hungry in the country.

Mr Yadav said India had been isolated, even at NAM after the May blasts and Kashmir had become the "only topic of discussion."

Former Union Railway Minister, Ram Vilas Paswan said "while small merchants have been arrested for adulterating mustard oil, no action has been taken against hoarders and black marketeers".

Mr Paswan said the party would soon prepare an action plan to be implemented in four states which would go to the polls in November.

"We will not join hands with anyone but strive to strengthen our own party," he said.

The JD Delhi unit president, Mr Satish Yadav, indicated that his party would contest all 70 assembly seats jointly with Left Parties.

The party had three members in the outgoing assembly and two of them had defected to the Congress.

BJP committees constituted
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Sept 21— The Bharatiya Janata Party president, Mr Kushabhau Thakre, today constituted the party’s Parliamentary Board, the Central Election Committee and the Disciplinary Action Committee.

The party’s highest decision making forum — the Parliamentary Board — will comprise the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, the Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, the Human Resource Development Minister, Dr M.M. Joshi, the Industry Minister, Mr Sikander Bakht, the party vice-presidents, Mr Bangaru Laxman and Mr Karia Munda, and the general secretary, Mrs Sumitra Mahajan. Mr Thakre will head the board and the general secretary, Mr M. Venkaiah Naidu, will be its member secretary. Mrs Vijaya Raje Scindia has been nominated to the board as a special invitee, the party spokesman, Mr Naidu told newspersons.

The Central Election Committee, which decides the party candidates for the assembly and parliamentary elections, will comprise 16 members. All 10 leaders of the Parliamentary Board will be its members. In addition, three general secretaries, Mr K.N. Govindacharya, Mr Narendra Modi and Mr Sanghpriya Gautam, three vice presidents, Mr K.L.Sharma, Mr Kailashpati Mishra and Mr K. Jana Krishnamurthy, will be its members.

The Disciplinary Action Committee will be headed by the newly appointed vice-president, Mr J.P. Mathur. The other four members are the former Delhi BJP president, Mr O.P. Kohli, Mrs Jayantiben Mehta, the Minister of Labour, Dr S. N. Jatiya, and Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Sources said that Mr Thakre is likely to make some more appointments after the expansion of the Union Council of Ministers which is likely to take place after the return of the Prime Minister from his tour of New York and Paris. The BJP president will also allocate work to his general secretaries after the Cabinet expansion, sources indicated.

NSG not for VIPs: Advani
Tribune News Service

MANESAR (Haryana), Sept 21 — Union Home Minister, Lal Krishan Advani today said he was not in favour of the National Security Guard being used for VVIP security.

Addressing officers and men of the NSG, better known as Black Cats, on their 14th Raising Day at the training centre in Manesar, Mr Advani said security cover should be unobtrusive.

"The NSG should be used only against terrorists, hijackers and kidnappers and those who disturb the internal security of the country," he said.

He pointed out that VIP security duty forces the NSG commandos to remain off their rigorous training schedule for long periods.

Mr Advani agreed that the NSG must be equipped with the latest weapons which were more advanced than those being used by terrorists.

"We are aware that terrorism is state-sponsored but due to the commendable effort of the security forces we have gained considerable ground in containing it," he said.

In Jammu and Kashmir, where tourism industry had taken a severe beating due to terrorism, there has been a remarkable change now, Mr Advani said. "The people of the valley have said yes to tourism and no to terrorism," he said.

The Director General of NSG, Mr T.R. Kakkar, said there was an urgent need for upgrading the equipment of the commandos, a special insurance cover should be provided for all commandos when on operations since there was a large chance of fatality and commandos should also be trained abroad so that they could learn the new methods and later impart training to other commandos in the country.

At an impressive demonstration of its skills at the NSG garrison the NSG commandos displayed their prowess in deftly handling situations where the life of innocent people and VIPs might be at a risk.

Among other things, the VIP security duties, bomb detection and disposal, basic commando training (obstacle course), dog obstacle course, martial arts, marksmanship skills, specialised skills, hostage rescue mission and abseiling were some of the abilities expertly shown at the Raising Day function.

Since its inception in 1985, the NSG has well established its credentials. The force has proved its worth at the time of national emergencies by successfully executing operations such as "Black Thunder" 1 and 2 in 1986 and 1988 respectively. The NSG successfully terminated the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight at Amritsar.

He also presented police medals for displaying exemplary courage and service to the nation to Dr Subhash Chander Mahapatra, Mr Jai Chand Yadav, AC-1, Mr George P. Vargese, AC-1, Mr Rajpal Singh AC-2 and Mr Netra Singh Bishat, Ranger-1. He also honoured the Best Commando Cadet, Mr Prem Nath for creating record of completing 26 obstacles in 8.24 minutes against a stipulated time of 16 minutes.

Chief Minister Bansi Lal applauded the role being played by NSG in providing security and combating terrorism. He paid a visit to the NSG museum and showed keen interest in the weaponry displayed there.

Mr L.K. Advani, Mr B.P. Singh, Union Home Secretary, and Mr Bansi Lal were presented mementoes by the NSG Director General.

Mr Ram Bilas Sharma, Education Minister, Rao Narbir Singh, Cooperation Minister, Mr Ram Chander Bainda, MP and Mr Ram S. Varma, Chief Secretary, Haryana were also present.

CVC proposes ‘rogue gallery’

NEW DELHI, Sept 21 (UNI) — Those convicted in corruption cases should have the “honour” of making it to the “rogue gallery”in each of the government organisations, newly appointed Chief Vigilance Commissioner N. Vittal has proposed.

A photograph of the person convicted should be hung in the “rogue gallery”, Mr Vittal has suggested this radical idea in a 27-point questionnaire which has been shot to a number of departments in the Government and state-owned companies.

Mr Vittal told UNI that the CVC would work like Lord Vishnu who is “bhayakrita and bhaya nashana”. The CVC would create fear in the mind of corrupt, while it would not allow fear to bog down an honest officer.

The CVC feels that despite so much cynicism, it should be possible to wage a battle against corruption. “An average Indian wants to be honest and our religion teaches us so.”

Mr Vittal said he would be meeting top officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation and would place a lot of emphasis on presenting solid cases so that the rate of conviction improves. “The CBI has told me that their rate of conviction is 68 to 70 per cent. I would like it to improve further”.

The CVC would like the CBI to build solid cases before the courts of law so that the hawala type of cases did not crop up.

The Government has created many institutions to deal with corruption. But most of these organisations are “teethless”, one of the important endeavours of the new CVC would be to ensure that these organisations are given enough powers.

Within three weeks of joining office, Mr Vittal has met senior officials of various departments. He has met Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, senior bankers including chairman of the Indian Banks Association A.T. Pannir Selvam. Mr Vittal would be meeting RBI Governor Bimal Jalan on September 23 and addressing CBI officials tomorrow.

One of the methods suggested by the CVC to detect frauds and corruption is to encourage the “whistle-blowers” who would be protected. “We must be able to protect the whistle blowers and not smother them on the ground that they are juniors or not directly concerned with a particular activity,” Mr Vittal said.

One of the methods suggested by the CVC to detect frauds and corruption is to encourage the “whistle-blowers” who would be protected. “We must be able to protect the whistle blowers and not smother them on the ground that they are juniors or not directly concerned with a particular activity,” Mr Vittal said.

Onion sells at Rs 40 a kg in Delhi
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Sept. 21 — Onion prices skyrocketed, in most vegetable markets in the Capital today, with the commodity selling between Rs 35 and Rs 40 a kilo.

The rise was not unexpected as the prices had fluctuated between Rs 26 and Rs 36 in wholesale market at Azadpur in the week gone by.

Mrs Sachi Srivastava, a houswife living in Rohini said that in the week gone by, onions were selling at Rs 23 or Rs 24 a kilo. She said that although the price was high, she had no choice but to buy it.

Another resident of Mayur Vihar, Mrs Meenu Kulkarni, said that she would not buy onions till prices come down. "Dealers will use the weak point of consumers and hike the prices even more if there is a great demand of onions."

Expressing concern over the sudden rise in prices of onions, the Delhi Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Mrs Poornima Sethi, said that they had asked NAFED to procure 100 metric tonnes of onions daily to meet the requirement of the consumers.

Apart from mobile vans, consumers can also buy onions at the same rate from Apna Bazar, Super Bazar, Kendriya Bhandar, National Consumer Cooperative Federation outlets and NAFED.

She said that a decision to import onions from Pakistan, Iran and Dubai was taken last week during a meeting convened at the PMO level.

The wholesale rate of onions in the onion producing zones of Nasik and Gujarat fluctuated between Rs 21 and Rs 26 on Sunday.

The Minister pointed out that the cumulative deficit in the onion crop produce was 60,000 metric tonnes. She said that the crop was damaged due to heavy rain in Nasik and the cyclone in Gujarat.

Bardhan sees move to bypass Parliament

CHENNAI, Sept 21 (PTI) — CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan today said the Vajpayee government might bypass Parliament and dismiss the Rabri Devi government in Bihar and call for fresh elections in the state.

He told reporters here that the BJP might adopt the same strategy to bypass Parliament as it did in the case of the Prasar Bharati ordinance. Today or tomorrow, the dismissal issue might reach a climax, he added.

Mr Bardhan said it would resort to this backdoor method, as it would be difficult for the Centre to get the dismissal of the Rabri Devi government ratified in Parliament, and because some of its own constituents were opposed to use of Article 356.

He accused Bihar Governor S.S. Bhandari, who is camping in Delhi, of carrying on a political campaign against the state government.

“He is behaving like a BJP-RSS activist and is obviously exceeding the bounds of constitutional propriety and duties,” Mr Bardhan said. He said the CPI would continue to play the role of an opposition in Bihar.

The CPI, he said, believed that a government could be brought down only through a no-confidence vote.

However, it was wrong on the part of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) government to have gone back on the Jharkhand issue, he added.

Mr Bardhan charged that the BJP was yielding to pressure from its Bihar state unit and its partner, the Samata Party. To a question whether a similar demand could be made against the DMK regime in Tamil Nadu, he agreed that the BJP’s attitude might give rise to similar demands in other states.

“If there is a case for dismissal in Bihar, equally there is one in Uttar Pradesh,” Mr Bardhan retorted. He admitted that the law and order situation in Bihar as “bad” but said it could not be a ground for dismissing the RJD government.

The CPI did not want Article 356 to be scrapped, but invoked only under specified circumstances, including those impinging on national security, he said.

Hardwar happy to be in UP
From K.G.Dutt
Tribune News Service

HARDWAR, Sept 21 — A wave of glee has gripped this holy town after the news spread here that the Uttar Pradesh Council of Ministers has decided to keep Hardwar out of the proposed Uttaranchal state.

But the move has upset organisations of hill people who were keen to see that Hardwar was included in Uttaranchal.

The extent of happiness could be gauged from the fact that Mr Ambrish Kumar, local MLA, who was made the general secretary of the Joint Action Committee formed to keep Hardwar out of Uttaranchal, stated that the entire city would be illuminated on September 25 to welcome the decision of the UP Cabinet to exclude Hardwar from Uttaranchal.

He said the decision of the Cabinet was the result of the pressure of a strong public opinion. A rally would be taken out in Lucknow on September 22, he added.

The Samajwadi Party on September 25 will organise prayers on the banks of the Ganga. All leaders of the Loktantrik Congress will visit Hardwar on September 28 where they will be given a reception.

On the other hand, members of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD), at a meeting held here opposed the decision of the State Cabinet and said it would protest against it. Two leaders of the UKD said they would start a fast-unto death on October 2 if Hardwar was not included in Uttaranchal. The UKD leadership feels that the BJP has been pursuing a double policy.

Political circles here say that Mr Kalyan Singh had categorically told the Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, that it would not be politically feasible for the BJP to include Hardwar in the new state.

According to information available here, the Cabinet has decided to keep the entire Kumbh area in Hardwar district.

Tortoises come to hares’ rescue

SURAT, Sept 21 (UNI) — This time around, the hare and the tortoise together raced against a watery grave.

The fabled rivalry of these two animals turned into a bond of friendship when the tortoise rescued the hare from the surging waters of the Tapti in spate at the Zoological Gardens here a few days ago.

The cage in which the hare were kept was also not spared as the water level rose to 2 ft. Seeing the plight of their fellow creatures, a bunch of tortoises swam towards them and carried them on their solid-shell backs to safety, the zoo authorities said.

The hare and the tortoises are now living together in the same cage.

Surat Superintendent of Zoos, Parks and Gardens Hemendra Kumar Dey denied reports that animals had perished in the floods, saying all the 282 birds and animals in the zoo were safe.

Carcinogen found in Yamuna

NEW DELHI, Sept 21 (PTI) — In what can be called a potential health threat, scientists from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), here, have found Polychlorinated Benzene (PCB), a well known cancer causing agent, in the Yamuna, which is the main source of drinking water in Delhi.

The threat is maximum near the Nazafgarh area of West Delhi where PCB concentration rises as high as 782 parts per billion (PPB) during monsoon, A.K. Bhattacharyya, a professor at the School of Environmental Science in JNU told PTI.

The maximum permissible limit of PCB in water, as fixed by the US Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA), is 600 PPB.

PCB has also been found in the portion of Yamuna adjacent to Okhla Industrial Area in South East Delhi, Nizamuddin Area of South Delhi and Wazirabad area of North Delhi.

Bhattacharyya and his colleague P.K. Seth carried out the study jointly with the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) in Goa during 1994-96.

“Though the study was carried out earlier it is likely that the concentration has increased in the last few years with the growth of small scale industries,” he said, adding the situation needs constant monitoring.

Sources of PCB, suggest Bhattacharyya, may be the batteries and electrical components like capacitors and transformers as well as plastic bags and containers which are being used excessively in most of the small scale industries.

According to Bhattacharyya, PCB concentration started increasing in the pre-monsoon period, maximised during monsoon and then gradually decreased.

“The threat may not be very great at present, but if preventive measures are not taken immediately, it can cause public health disorders after a few years,” he observed.

Scientists have also found presence of high amount of other toxic chemicals like dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane (DDT), hexachloro hydrocarbons (HCH) and cyclodiene, all of which are known to have mutagenic properties.

The concentration of DDT is five times higher than the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard, he said.

In fact the BOD (biological oxygen demand) value — the standard scale of measuring water contamination — was found to be 60 which should be within 10, Bhattacharyya pointed out.

All of these chlorinated hydrocarbons, being fat soluble, can reside in body fat for a long time and get biomagnified through the food chain in the course of time.

Other sources of Yamuna pollutants include municipal sewage and agricultural discharges coming from nearby localities, he added.

‘Tests met security needs’

PUNE, Sept 21 (UNI) — The Pokhran II nuclear tests with one stroke met India’s macro-security needs and brought into focus its commitment to disarmament, a defence analyst has said. Security is a profound concept with every civilisation approaching it differently to suit its requirements, defence expert Commodore Uday Bhaskar (retd) pointed out last evening while delivering a lecture on Post Pokhran Indian Security, Organised by the Sakal Papers Trust to make the 101st birth anniversary of its founder-Editor Dr Nanasaheb Parulekar.

In the post-cold war scenario, states are faced with three security challenges — macro-security capability, traditional security and micro security, according to Mr Bhaskar.

The macro-security aspect is chiefly concerned with fire power, surveillance and putting troops beyond one’s shores, he elaborated. Traditional security is concerned with maintaining a proper balance between the three services while micro-security challenges were aimed at containing terrorism and militancy, within the country, Mr Bhaskar stated.

Andersen awards presented

NEW DELHI, Sept 21 (UNI) — Well-known American author Katherine Paterson and noted French illustrator Tomi Ungerer have won this year’s prestigious Hans Christian Andersen award for their contribution to children’s literature.

The awards, instituted by the International Board of Book for Young People (IBBY), were presented by IBBY president Carmen Diana Dearden of Venezuela at the inaugural function of its 26th congress here last evening.

The award, the highest international distinction in children’s literature, is given in two categories — writing and illustration. It carries a medal and a diploma.

Ms Paterson, author of several titles for children, was awarded for her sensitive description of feelings and creation of captivatingly real characters with true human qualities.

Translated into 22 languages, her books are mostly about misfit children who long for love, understanding, recognition and most of all want to belong to families without giving up what they really are.

French Ambassador to India Claude Blan Chemaison received the award on behalf of Mr Ungerer who was not present due to health reasons. A video presentation of his acceptance speech was shown on the occasion.

The finalists in the writing award category were Ruskin Bond (India), Brian Doyle (Canada), Anne (UK) and Alice Vieira (Portugal), while in the illustrator award section were Dick Bruna (Netherlands), Stasys Eidrigivicius (Poland) and Binette Schroeder (Germany).

The jury chose the two winners from 50 nominees all over the world. Queen Margarethe II of Denmark is the patron of the awards.

TN CM surprised at Vajpayee’s remarks

CHENNAI, Sept 21 (PTI) — Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi today expressed surprise over Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee’s remarks that Article 356 could be invoked even if a state government enjoyed majority in the House.

“I never expected such a statement from Mr Vajpayee,” the DMK leader told reporters here.

He said if the Article was used to dismiss the Bihar Government, the BJP’s credibility would go down. The Centre should think twice before taking the decision, he said.

The DMK leader said for the past six months, people had appreciated BJP’s stand that it would not misuse Article 356. The people of the states concerned should be allowed to judge the performance of their state governments through a democratic process and, under no circumstances, should Article 356 be invoked, he said.

The DMK believed that the Article should not be used at all, he said, adding it had opposed the imposition of President’s rule in Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan soon after the demolition of the Babri Masjid.

Mr Karunanidhi said till some time ago the BJP had shared his party’s view on the use of Article 356.

Jaya demands DMK minister’s arrest

CHENNAI, Sept 21 (PTI) — AIADMK general secretary Jayalalitha today sought the arrest of Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister Suresh Rajan for allegedly attacking a Dalit member of his own party near Nagercoil recently.

In a statement here, she alleged that Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi was “making frantic efforts to rescue the offending minister from the clutches of law” by forcing the victim to withdraw his complaint against the minister.

Ms Jayalalitha said Mr Manikandan, Nagercoil town secretary of the ruling DMK’s farmers wing, had lodged a complaint with the police that Mr Rajan and two others, who were returning from the DMK’s conference at Tirunelveli, had abused him using his caste name and severely beat him up.

Mr Rajan should be dropped forthwith from the Ministry, arrested and lodged in prison, she said.

Instead of taking action to redress his party man’s grievance and sacking a Minister who had attacked a Dalit, Mr Karunanidhi had deputed a senior Minister to effect a reconciliation, she said.

254 Indian fishermen in Pak jails
AHMEDABAD: At least 254 Indian fishermen are languishing in Pakistani jails, but the Pakistan Government has neither confirmed their arrest nor has it responded to India’s initiatives for scheduling discussions on the issue. This has been stated by the Joint Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry Vivek Katju in a reply to a notice issued in June by the National Human Rights Commission on the basis of a complaint lodged by Bulsar-based Mahesh Desai. Mr Katju said the government was pursuing the matter with Pakistan and impressing upon it to urgently address the problem. —PTI

Protein extracted from fish scales
KOCHI: Japanese scientists have developed a method for extracting protein rich collagen and apatite from fish scales which are normally discarded as waste, according to a newsletter of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) here. A Japanese company Dhida has already started marketing these products in the form of tablets and canned food. Under the process, fish scales are cleared of foreign substances, washed, sterilised, dried and pulverised to extract hydroxyapatite, a raw material which contains collagen and apatite. Hydroxyapatite is then added to canned mackerel and sold. — PTI

Militants kidnap doctor
AGARTALA: The banned NLFT on Monday kidnapped a government doctor from Borakha area under the disturbed Jirania police station of West Tripura district, according to the police. Armed NLFT ultras stopped the vehicle of the doctor, Partha Pratim Majumder, who was on way to Ranibazar from here to attend duty at around 0900 hours and abducted him at gunpoint. The ultras have reportedly demanded large ransom for his release. —PTI

2 held in acid-throwing case
JAIPUR: The police on Sunday arrested two persons allegedly involved in the Shivani Jadeja acid-throwing incident last year and handed them to the CBI, which is probing the case. The two accused, Atik and Mohammed Arif of the Ramganj area, were nabbed while the police was interrogating them in a separate case, the police said here. The accused has allegedly thrown acid on the face of Shivani Jadeja, a school going girl, on April 12, 1997.—PTI

Three killed by Naxalites
HYDERABAD: Three persons were shot dead by Naxalites at Neemapally village in Karimnagar district of Andhra Pradesh, the police said here on Monday. The Naxalites, belonging to Janashakti Group, had summoned the three — K. Anjaneyalu, his brother Seetharamaiah and Satish Rao — from Sircilla to Neemapally and shot them dead, the police said. The ultras suspected the trio to be police informers. — PTI

Siti Cable founder shot dead
HYDERABAD: P. Ramakrishna, founder of Siti Cable and resident director of Zee-TV, South India, was shot dead at Vijayawada by unidentified assailants on Sunday night, the police said. Ramakrishna (34) is survived by his wife and two children. —PTI