S P O T L I G H T

Taliban recognises rebel Chechnya
ISLAMABAD, Jan 16 (Reuters) — Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban announced today its formal diplomatic recognition of the breakaway Russian republic of Chechnya. Afghan Islamic Press quoted Taliban Foreign Minister Abdul Wakil Muttawakil as saying that the Taliban supreme leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, agreed to recognise Chechnya during a meeting with a Chechen delegation at his headquarters in Kandahar.

Parties’ merger
NEW DELHI, Jan 16 (UNI) — The Jantantrik Bahujan Samaj Party which has 19 legislators in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, today announced its merger with the Janata Dal (U). Welcoming them to the JD(U) fold, party President Sharad Yadav told mediapersons that this would strengthen the National Democratic Alliance.

SHO arrested
MEERUT, Jan 16 (PTI) — The police today arrested the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Daurala police station near here accused in the shooting down of a college girl on January 14 in a case of mistaken identity. SHO A.K. Kaushik, who was arrested from a hospital where he had taken admission after complaining of heart trouble, will be shifted to police custody for interrogation after clearance from doctors, SSP R.P. Singh said here.

Vananchal Bill
RANCHI, Jan 16 (PTI) — Union Minister of State for Forests and Environment Babulal Marandi today said the Vananchal Bill had been sent to President K.R. Narayanan for his approval.