S P O T L I G H T

3 Coal India officers suspended
NEW DELHI, Feb 11 —Three officers of Coal India Ltd (CIL) were today suspended by Coal Minister Shahnawaz Hussain for the Bagdihi mine disaster in which 31 miners are feared killed. Coal Secretary N.K. Sinha said the minister had taken the action a day after he visited the Bagdihi mines in Dhanbad. Mr Hussian had yesterday stated that there was a prima facie case against the agent and two surveyors of the Bagdihi mines for the disaster and they would be placed under suspension pending inquiry. The suspension followed a preliminary inquiry into the incident and further action would be taken once the inquiry report was submitted, he added. The minister had said action would be taken against those responsible as per law and the Labour Ministry would be asked to initiate a statutory inquiry into the incident under the Mines Act. The bodies of two miners, including an official, were recovered on Sunday from the Bagdihi mines of the Bharat Coking Coal Ltd. — PTI

7 buried alive
ETAWAH (UP), Feb 11 —Seven persons including five children, were killed and three others injured when a mound of earth fell on them at Jahanabad village today, the police said. The incident occurred when the victims were digging mud near the mound, Senior Superintendent of Police S.R. Tripathi said here. The injured were admitted to a hospital, he said. — PTI