S P O T L I G H T

LJP splits
New Delhi, August 13
The four-member Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) headed by former Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan today suffered a split in the Lok Sabha with former Union Minister Jainarain Prasad Nishad from Bihar and Mr Ramesh Jigajinagi from Karnataka quitting it and deciding to form a new party. PTI

EC apologises for flag display
New Delhi, August 13
Acting swiftly on a court observation regarding the wrongful display of the national flag, the Election Commission today expressed its “unqualified apology” over the incident, saying it was an “inadvertent lapse”. “The full commission expresses its unqualified regret and apologises to the people of the country in this regard..... The commission had consistently upheld national honour and prestige in its endeavours and holds all national symbols and institutions in highest esteem”, Deputy Election Commissioner A.N. Jha said in a press note. PTI

District flooded
Imphal, August 13
The flood situation in Manipur’s Thoubal district turned serious late last night as water from the Thoubal and Khongjom rivers flooded many villages displacing a large number of people. Official sources said today that residential localities got inundated after embankments along the two major rivers gave in at six places following torrential rains in the past few days. A large number of paddy fields were also submerged. UNI

Four asphyxiated
Dhanbad, August 13
Four persons were asphyxiated to death after inhaling a poisonous gas while trying to repair a diesel pump fitted inside a well at Chandankiyari village in Bokaro district, Sub-Divisional Officer Sunil Kumar said today. He said six persons had entered the well to repair the pump last night as it had ceased to function. PTI