S P O T L I G H T

8 ULFA militants die in encounter
GUWAHATI, Feb 28 (UNI) — At least eight ULFA militants were killed in an encounter with security forces at a place in Upper Arunachal Pradesh today. Confirming this, official sources said here that details were awaited. Another ULFA militant was killed in an encounter with the Army near the Halem railway station of Assam’s Sonitpur district yesterday.

Heavy firing on LoC
JAMMU, Feb 28 (PTI) — An Army jawan was killed in Palanwala area of Chamb sector, while heavy firing and shelling took place between Pakistani and Indian troops in Jhanghar, Uri and Tanghdar sectors along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir since last night, defence sources said here today. The sources said a jawan injured in firing by Pakistani troops last evening died. Reports from northwest Kashmir said heavy firing and shelling between the two sides also took place in Uri and Tangdhar and at eight places along the international border in R.S. Pura and Akhnoor areas in Jammu division.

11 LTTE men killed
COLOMBO, Feb 28 (PTI) — Eleven LTTE rebels were killed in separate gun-battles with Sri Lankan troops in Jaffna since yesterday, the Defence Ministry said here today. Troops attacked a group of rebels at Vathirayan in the peninsula yesterday and killed four of them. Seven more rebels were killed in three other gun-battles with troops in the peninsula yesterday.

Kerala Governor
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Feb 28 (UNI) — Andhra Pradesh Governor C. Rangarajan will hold additional charge as Governor of Kerala for a month from tomorrow. The Kerala High Court Justice, Mr Arijit Pasayat, will administer the oath of office at a function to be held at the Raj Bhavan at 4 pm tomorrow. Kerala Governor Justice Sukhdev Singh Kang is proceeding on medical leave for 30 days with effect from February 26.

Bangla violence
DHAKA, Feb 28 (AP) — At least 30 persons were injured when Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s supporters clashed with opposition members who enforced a general strike today that closed businesses and schools in 60 towns. The strike also halted most traffic, including long distance buses and trucks.

US report
NEW DELHI, Feb 28 (UNI) — India today declined to take cognisance of the US report on allegations of human rights violation in this country, stating “we do not respond to such reports”. A spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs said.

BJP meeting
NEW DELHI, Feb 28 (PTI) — The BJP’s performance in the Assembly elections in Bihar, Orissa, Haryana and Manipur would come for close scrutiny at a meeting of the BJP central office-bearers here on March 3.

Cabinet status
NEW DELHI, Feb 28 (UNI) — Justice Mohammed Shamim, who took over as the Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities last month, has been conferred the status of a Union Cabinet Minister by the government, official sources said today. The government had conferred the status of a Minister of State on Mr Tarlochan Singh, Vice-Chairman of the commission.