S P O T L I G H T

Bathinda SSP shifted on EC order
Chandigarh, February 9
The Punjab Government today ordered the transfer of Bathinda SSP Jetinder Kumar Jain following the Election Commission’s directions in view of the February 13 Assembly poll. The SSP, against whom the Commission received several complaints for violation of the election code, has been called to the state police headquarters for a fresh posting, a spokesperson of the Punjab Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) office here said. UNI

US-Pak defence pact
Islamabad, February 9
Ahead of President Pervez Musharraf’s state visit to Washington, Pakistan and the USA today signed an agreement to enhance defence cooperation. Under the agreement called “Acquisition and Cross Servicing” the two countries will cooperate during combined military exercises, training, deployment, operations or other joint efforts. PTI

Sonia’s rally
Imphal, February 9
Life in the entire Imphal valley came to a grinding halt today following the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) call to boycott Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s election meetings. In a press note last night chief of communication and publicity of, the outfit Lalhaba threatened the people with dire consequences, if they ventured out to receive the Congress leader. Though massive security arrangements were made at the venues of election rally, people did not muster courage to dare PLA’s threat and venture out. UNI

Poet Suroor dead
Aligarh, February 9
Noted Urdu scholar, writer and poet Ale Ahmad Suroor died in New Delhi early today, family sources said here. Suroor, 91, is survived by wife, two sons and a daughter. Suroor was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1992. He was also a recipient of the Sahitya Academy award for his works in Urdu. Last year, he had been given Iqbal Samman by the Madhya Pradesh Government. PTI