Minibus plunges into Chenab; 17 feared killedJAMMU: At least 17 people have been feared killed and five injured as a minibus plunged into river Chenab in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, an official spokesperson said here today.The accident occurred yesterday as an overcrowded van plunged into the Chenab between Premnagar and Garsoo towns, about 180 kms from here, he said. Rescuers fished out six bodies and saved five injured persons.However, the remaining eleven people on the bus were feared to have drowned or died in the accident, he added. The cause of accident was not immediately known, he said.WB to have millennium festivalCALCUTTA:The State Government would scout for potential investors and explore possibilities of joint ventures during the 12-day `Millennium Festival of West Bengal' beginning here on December 29. Organised by the Biswa Banga Sammelan Millennium Committee (BBSMC), the festival is primarily aimed at show-casing the state for NRIs and other potential investors. Vice-President Krishna Kant is scheduled to inaugurate the festival.Two ultras killed in JammuJAMMU: Two militants have been killed and as many arrested in Jammu division, official reports said here today. Two foreign mercenaries were killed during `seek and destroy' operation launched by Rashtriya Rifles troops at Nad in Poonch district yesterday, they said. Two AK-rifles, two grenades, one RPG rocket and some assorted ammunition were recovered from the ultras. One of the militants has been identified as Jabar Khan of Hizbul Mujaheedin outfit, the reports said.Veteran trade union activist deadCALCUTTA: Veteran trade union leader Kamalapati Roy of AITUC today passed away after a massive cardiac arrest at 9 am at SSKM hospital here. He was 76. Roy, who joined the trade union movement in 1948, was also a member of the State Secretariat, as well as of the national council of CPI. Senior CPI leaders, including Indrajit Gupta, Geeta Mukherjee and Nandagopal Bhattacharya, were present when he died.Five die of food poisoningETAH: Five people of a family died of food poisoning in Egma village of this district last evening. Official sources said that Dinanath, a resident of the village, along with his family members Raiveti, Kavita, Amit and Arti experienced severe pain in the stomach and started vomiting after eating kheer (a milk preparation) prepared at home for Diwali. All of them died before they could reach hospital.NLFT activists kidnap threeAGARTALA:Banned National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) guerillas kidnapped three people, including a CPI(M) leader, from Jirania in West Tripura last night. Police sources said here today that the armed rebels abducted CPI(M) leader Niranjan Paul from Jirania when he went to his brother's house. In retaliation, an agitated mob burnt down several tribal houses in a nearby village. Additional security force led by senior police officials were camping in the area, where tension still prevailed.
