S P O T L I G H T

Rajan refuses to identify attackers

BANGKOK, sept 28 (PTI) — thirteen days after escaping a bid on his life, injured and pale-looking underworld don Chhota Rajan today refused to identify the alleged attackers in a court here, even as he was formally charged and granted bail in a case relating to violation of immigration laws.

BANGKOK: Alleged Indian gangster Vijay Daman being brought to a criminal court in Bangkok on Thursday to testify against his attackers who shot and injured him on Sept 15 in a blaze of gunfire. His associate, Michael d'Souza was killed. Daman, who is also known as Chota Rajan, plans to fly out of Bangkok after recording his testimony. — AP/PTI photo

Rajan was brought to the southern Bangkok criminal court on a stretcher hooked onto glucose bottles with heavily-armed securitymen forming a ring around him.

161 missing in blast
BEIJING, Sept 28 (PTI) — At least 161 persons were killed or missing after a gas explosion yesterday in a coal mine in south western Guizhou province, officials said today. The explosion took place early yesterday morning at the Muchonggou mine of the Shuicheng coal mines. While 36 were confirmed dead, 125 were trapped underground and feared dead, officials said. “There are no signs of life from the mine,” said police officer Qian.

54-day bonus for Rly staff
NEW DELHI, Sept 28 (TNS) — The Ministry of Railways has issued instructions to all General Managers of the Zonal Railways and production units to release productivity-linked bonus immediately to all non-gazetted Groups B, C and D Railway employees without any ceiling on wages for eligibility equivalent to 54 days’ wages for their performance during the financial year 1999-2000. Where wages exceed Rs 2,500 per month, PLB would be calculated as if wages are Rs 2,500 per month.

INS Prabal launched
MUMBAI, Sept 28 (UNI) — INS Prabal, the fourth state-of-the-art missile boat built by the Mazagaon Dock Ltd, was launched today by Ms Kaumudi Singh, wife of Vice-Admiral Madhvendra Singh, Flag Officer, Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, today. The missile boat was launched at the Arabian Sea.