S P O T L I G H T

IAF pilot dies in crash
HYDERABAD, March 14 (PTI) — An Indian Air Force pilot died while his trainee escaped unhurt in an air crash near Hyderabad, the police said. Sqn Ldr Vishal Mehta was killed while trying to bale out of the trainer aircraft which developed a technical snag. His co-pilot, Fg Offr K.H. Singh, landed safely. The crash occurred near Toomukunta village in Shamirpet Mandal, 40 km from here, today. The aircraft, which left Hakimpet Air Force Station near here, developed a technical snag, forcing the two pilots on board to bale out.

4 killed in Tripura
AGARTALA, March 14 (PTI) — Insurgents of the banned National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) today struck again killing four persons and injuring four others, besides setting ablaze 30 houses at Ramdulal Para in North Tripura district. The police said a group of about 20 insurgents, armed with sophisticated weapons, raided the village at 5 am and opened fire killing four persons on the spot and injuring four others. The ultras then set afire 30 houses in the villages.

PAC deployed
LUCKNOW, March 14 (PTI) — The Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) has been deployed to maintain law and order in Dildarnagar town of Ghazipur district where a trader was killed when the Railway Protection Force (RPF) opened fire to ward off a violent mob that set on fire 11 coaches of the Mughalsarai-Sealdah Express during a drive against ticketless travellers yesterday.

SC judges
NEW DELHI, March 14 (UNI) — Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court Sam Nariman Variava and Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court Virupamma Patil have been appointed as judges of the Supreme Court. The presidential appointments will be effected from the date they assume charge of their offices, a press note said here today.