S P O T L I G H T

Bihar minister resigns
PATNA, Dec 19 (UNI) — Bihar Minister of State for Higher Education Ram Das Rai resigned from the Rabri Devi Cabinet today alleging that he has been sidelined and those junior to him have superseded him. Chief Minister Rabri Devi has accepted the resignation and forwarded it to Governor V.C. Panday, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Laloo Prasad Yadav said. After submitting his resignation, Mr Rai said he took this extreme step as his dignity and pride were at stake. The RJD chief admitted that Mr Rai had some grievances regarding his portfolio.

Lankan fighting
COLOMBO, Dec 19 (UNI) — LTTE rebels attacked a Sri Lankan security camp in eastern Batticaloa today, killing a naval sailor and injuring three soldiers. LTTE casualties in the attack were not known, defence spokesman said. The rebels had fired mortars and artillery at the Saththukondan military camp. The security forces repulsed the attack which lasted about an hour.