State briefs

ALLAHABAD: Water levels of two major rivers — Ganga and Yamuna — have begun to recede,even as more than 200 villages in five districts continue to be affected by floods,officials said Saturday. In Allahabad,Ganga was at 85.4 metres at Phaphamau — 1.1 metres above the danger mark,while Yamuna was at a 84.3 metres — a shade above the danger mark. On the issue,“Around 32 villages and seven urban localities — Ashok Nagar,Mehndauri,Salori,Baghara,Daraganj,Bakshi Khurd and Ganga Nagar have been affected. In some places,roads have been cut-off due to water-logging. More than 70 boats have been pressed into service,” said ADM (Finance),Allahabad,Satish Chandra Sharma. “We are hoping that by tonight water levels in both the rivers will continue recede,” Sharma said.

Police rescue kidnapped boy

LUCKNOW: Bulandshahr police Saturday arrested six persons and rescued a boy who was kidnapped while returning home from school in Narora area of the district Friday. police said a ransom of Rs 10 lakh was demanded by alleged kidnappers for the release of Dinesh who is a student of Class IX at Saraswati Shishu MandirA Bolero,two countrymade pistols and cartridges were recovered from those arrested,who belong to Aligarh. Dinesh’s father Pauda Singh,a resident of Narora,is a government employee. Station Officer,Narora police station,B K Yadav said the boy knew one of the accused who used to live in Narora before shifting to Aligarh.