S P O T L I G H T

2 soldiers sacked for molesting girls
Baramula, August 17
The Army authorities today dismissed two soldiers for posing as militants and molesting girls at Delina on July 15, 2002. The police said Dalbagh Singh and Navnihal Singh of 22 Rashtriya Rifles entered the house of Mr Abdul Ahmad Bhat at Delina here on the night of July 15 posing as militants. The soldiers later molested the girls in the house after having food at gun-point. The inmates raised an alarm which drew the attention of the neighbours. However, the culprits escaped before they could be caught. But not before being recognised by some people, the police said. Next morning, thousands of people, demanding immediate action against the soldiers, blocked the national highway. UNI

Envoy to Nepal dead
Kathmandu, August 17
Indian Ambassador to Nepal Dr Indu Prakash Singh died in London this morning after losing a battle with tongue cancer, the Indian Embassy here said. He was 71. An Embassy official said he was being treated in London for the past few months. He was appointed to the post in December, 2001. A career diplomat, Dr Indu Prakash Singh joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1955. Prior to this appointment, he was Professor at Allahabad University. UNI

DMK offices raided
Chennai, August 17
Sleuths of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) today simultaneously raided the residential and office premises of former DMK Ministers Veerapandi Arumugham and Jennifer Chandran and two others following complaints that they had wealth disproportionate to their known sources of income. Official sources said the raids, which began around 0830 hours, were being conducted at Mr Arumugham’s residences in T. Nagar here and Salem. UNI