State Scape

A CBI official today said that the raids, conducted yesterday, were based on a tip-off from their Delhi counterparts. The official said that the suspended official was owning the flats in Dum Dum and Salt Lake. The CBI sleuths unearthed cash amounting to Rs seven lakh, household goods, investments and foreign liquor.

Five arrested for Tamil Nadu clash

THENI: Police have arrested five persons and registered cases against fifty others in connection with the group clash and violence near the Theni collectorate on Monday. Police said three persons, including two policemen, were injured in the clash between the members of the All India Forward Bloc and the Puthia Tamizhagam which ensued over a dispute about playing songs. Five vehicles were also damaged in the incident. Meanwhile, in Madurai city, police registered cases against 49 volunteers of theAll India Forward Bloc for taking out a procession in the city without getting police permission last night. They were condemning Puthia Tamizhagam members8217; 8220;acts of violence8221; near Theni collectorate on Tuesday.

Four charred, 26 injured in mishap

HYDERABAD: Four passengers were charred to death and 26 others injured when a State road transport bus caught fire after hitting a lorry near Krishnareddypalli in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh last night. Abhilasha Bhishat, Additional Superintendent of Police Anantapur District, said on phone today that the bus carrying 40 passengers was proceeding towards Nandyal in Kurnool district from Puttaparthy, when it hit the animal skin-laden lorry. Twenty six passengers with burn injuries have been admitted to a hospital at Anantapur, Bhishat said. The cause of the fire was being investigated.

Ladakh festival to begin on Sept 9

SRINAGAR: Ladakh will celebrate its cultural heritage by organising a week-long festival from September 9 to15.

This year8217;s Ladakh Festival8217;, organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department in collaboration with the local administration at Leh, has been designed to generate awareness about the pageantry of centuries old customs of its people. During the festival, competitions will be held in archery and other traditional sports. Every village of the area is required to send teams for these tournaments and if they fail to do so, they are even fined. A series of evening musical concerts, ancient tantrik olays, maskdance by lamas of monastries and mock marriage ceremonies will be staged.

Precious stones worth Rs 40 lakh seized

LUCKNOW: Customs officials on Tuesday seized precious stones worth Rs 40 lakh which were smuggled into Barabanki district from Nepal. Two persons were arrested in this connection.

Customs Commissioner K P Mishra said here today that on a tip-off, the officials of the Department stopped and searched a jeep at the Safedabad railway crossing in Barabanki district. They found109 kg sapphires and eight kg rubies hidden under the driver8217;s seat.

He said the two persons arrested were from Bihar and they were taking the stones to Jaipur. Further interrogations are on.

Mizoram Govt admits to repatriate Reang refugees

AGARTALA: Mizoram Government has expressed willingness to repatriate 37,000 Reang refugees sheltered in four camps in North Tripura district, Tripura Minister for Relief and Revenue Keshab Majumder said.

The Mizoram Government has sought the assistance of Tripura Government for the refugees8217; repatriation, he told newsmen here last night.

Tripura Government has assured all help, he added.

Akhil Bharatiya Vanabasi Kalyan Ashram ABVKA had filed a petition in Delhi High Court seeking fool proof arrangements for Reang refugees so that they could participate in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.

ABVKA secretary S N Saxena in his plea said the refugees, displaced from Mizoram due to ethnic violence some years ago, had not been able to exercise their right offranchise during 1998 Lok Sabha elections and Mizoram Assembly polls.