S P O T L I G H T

30 hurt in clashes
MIDNAPORE (West Bengal), July 8 (PTI) — Thirty persons were injured, 300 houses torched and 400 others looted in a series of clashes between the supporters of the CPM and the Trinamool Congress in Midnapore district today, the police said. The clashes occurred in 12 villages under Keshpur, Sagar Kotwali and Pingla police station areas in which 27 Trinamool supporters and three CPM men were injured. At least 5,000 people were fleeing to Midnapore town.

Akash test-fired
BALASORE, July 8 (UNI) — India successfully test-fired its most sophisticated medium range surface-to-air missile, Akash, today from Chandipur, about 15 km from here, for the second time in a week. A similar missile was test-fired on Wednesday. Defence sources said Akash, which is similar to the US Patriot missile, was test-fired at 11.05 am. The missile has a range of 25 km with a capability to strike multiple targets simultaneously.

29 more peacocks die
MORENA (MP), July 8 (PTI) — Twentynine more peacocks were found dead today at Sitapur village taking the death toll from the consumption of bajra sprayed with chemicals in the past few days in the district to 80. Confirming the deaths, District Collector Pramod Mahajan said there was no prima facie evidence to book anyone. The Veterinary Officer, Dr S.Mishra, said post-mortem reports showed that the peacocks died due to consumption of foodgrains containing chemicals of “organo-phosphet” category.