Surat beat

BJP councillor Gangani heldSitting Bharatiya Janata Party councillor and former Deputy Mayor Hira Gangani 42, and Mansukh Velji Desai ...

BJP councillor Gangani held
Sitting Bharatiya Janata Party councillor and former Deputy Mayor Hira Gangani 42, and Mansukh Velji Desai 30, have been arrested by the Kapodara police for their involvement in the murder of Rajnikant Patel last month. Although Gangani8217;s name had surfaced about two days ago, he was arrested on Tuesday night. Mansukh Desai, a cousin of Bhikha Gangani who was arrested earlier, is also involved, and has been arrested today afternoon, the police stated. Both have been remanded to police custody until September 8. Rajnikant Patel was murdered in broad daylight on July 20.

Village bandh
Godadra village, on the outskirts of the city, observed a bandh today to protest against the8220; inefficient politicians8217; inability8221; to provide them basic amenities. The villagers, who are demanding road, drainage and potable water, have threatened that to boycott the election if they do not get concrete assurance before September 4.

Elected
V T Bhutwala is the new chairman of Income-Tax Gazetted Services8217; Federation, Surat Unit. He, along with other office-bearers, was elected at the annual general meeting of the Federation held recently. Decent Freeman was elected secretary, with P R Chauhan as treasurer.

Airport demanded
The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Amarnath Dora, in a letter to the Airport Authority of India, Mumbai, has stressed that Surat city 8220;must have a full-fledged airport in the interest of business and citizens. Recently, Indian Airlines Ltd Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi Manager-Commercial S K Sahani has surveyed airport facilities currently available at Surat and suggested a runway of minimum 7000 running feet, fire protection of category 6, passenger lounges, night-landing facilities, air control tower and greater security.

Competition
Prohibition Excise department organised a debate and patriotic song competition at Kosamba primary school as part of the ongoing 8220; Nasabandi Saptha8221;. Ayesha Sheikh of Tadsari school stood first, while Jenab Khalipha bagged the second prize. Sangeeta Valmik won the first prize in the patriotic song competition. The function was presided over by inspector Dilipsinh Atodaria.

Rally
Vadodara: An assurance of 8220;justice8221; to two suspended students by the chief warden of MSU thwarted a planned protest rally by the Hostel Students8217; Struggle Committee on Tuesday.