The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Wednesday, February 2, 2000,
Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

S P O T L I G H T

Uma’s resignation accepted
NEW DELHI, Feb 1 (PTI) — The resignation of Union Minister Uma Bharati has been accepted by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, a Prime Minister Office spokesman said tonight. The acceptance of Ms Bharati’s resignation came a day after she had called on the Prime Minister and pressed for the same. The resignation has been forwarded to President K.R. Narayanan for acceptance, the spokesman said. Ms Bharati had resigned from the Union Council of Ministers last month protesting alleged police assault on the BJP corporators.

Army exercise
Tribune News Service
CHANDIGARH, Feb 1 — The Army is carrying out an exercise in the Suratgarh and Rattangarh area of Rajasthan, about 100 km from the international border. According to a statement issued here today, the exercise will be conducted this month and an Army division along with an armoured brigade and the Air Force will be put through the exercise. Some other controlling headquarters are also likely to participate in the exercise.

Ex-AG convicted
BHUBANESWAR, Feb 1 (UNI) — Former Orissa Advocate-General Inderajit Ray was today sentenced to three years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5000 by the Assistant Sessions and Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court here in the infamous Anjana Mishra molestation case. Mr Srikant Nayak pronounced the judgement in a packed court room. Mr Ray was convicted under Section 376/511 of the IPC (attempt to rape) and Section 354 of the IPC for outraging the modesty of Ms Mishra.

Muivah jailed
NEW DELHI, Feb 1 (PTI) — Top leader of outlawed National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) Thuingaleng Muivah was today sentenced to one year’s prison term by a Thai court for jumping bail and trying to flee to Singapore on fake travel documents, leading to uncertainty over the fate of peace talks between the Naga group and the Centre. The Songkhla Court in Thailand also forfeited the surety of approximately Rs 2.4 lakh (200,000 baht) which he was asked to furnish while being released on bail last week, official sources here said.

Tanks from Russia
MOSCOW, Feb 1 (AFP) — India is to buy at least 300 T-90S tanks from Russia. Interfax news agency reported yesterday quoting officials at the Chelyabinsk factory that produces them. A contract will be signed shortly after negotiations take place in New Delhi.