Briefly Nation

The Senate of Cochin University of Science and Technology CUSAT on Thursday passed a resolution that the breasts of mermaid-shrub should be restored.

Kerala varsity resolution on mermaid restoration

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Senate of Cochin University of Science and Technology CUSAT on Thursday passed a resolution that the breasts of mermaid-shrub should be restored. Last week,the Leftist-controlled university had chopped away the breasts of the mermaid,following a complaint from the womens welfare association,which felt the figure was obscene. The garden curator was asked to convert the mermaid-shrub into a man. CUSAT V-C Dr Ramachandran Thekkedath said a final decision was not taken yet as the university was considering a Supreme Court order of 2002 which had directed removal of vulgar pictures and artifacts from campuses. Naturally,the university would go by the resolution of the Senate. Besides,we would also consider the probe being conducted by the pro-VC, said Thekkedath.

Thachankarys plea dismissed

KOCHI: The Kerala High court on Thursday dismissed a petition by senior IPS officer Tomin J Thachankary challenging the Central Administrative Tribunals order confirming his suspension for undertaking a foreign trip without seeking state governments prior permission. The court cannot issue any directions to re-admit him into service at this juncture,a division bench comprising Justices Thothathil B Radhakrishnan and P Bhavadasan held while dismissing Thachankarys petition.

RSS mans murder sparks tension

PALAKKAD: Three CPM workers were on Thursday injured in retaliatory attacks,allegedly by RSS activists following the murder of a local RSS functionary by suspected CPM activists at Kanjikode in Palakkad on Wednesday. As parts of the district remained tense with BJP and RSS calling for a bandh in the area,the District Administration had called an all-party peace meet to end recurrence of violence.

New bridge develops crack

LUCKNOW: A newly constructed bridge on the Yamuna river on Banda-Bahraich state highway had developed a crack following which the Uttar Pradesh government has ordered an inquiry into the incident,an official said here. Constructed with a cost of over Rs 64 crore on the Yamuna river at Chillaghat,the bridge was inaugurated nearly two weeks back.

Two cops killed in Purulia clash

PURULIA WB: An inspector of the Nagaland India Reserve Battalion and a constable of the State Armed Police were killed during a clash that broke out between some security personnel of the two forces in Balarampur in Purulia district,police said on Thursday. The IRB personnel opened fire killing SAP constable Sanjay Bagh,following discord at a party on Wednesday night,Purulia Superintendent of Police Sunil Chowdhury said on Thursday. The SAP personnel then fired back in which an IRB inspector Kariang Chang died.

Pallam Raju defends Army on Kashmir row

NEW DELHI: Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju Thursday defended the Army that has come under flak from Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over critical remarks about the situation in the state. I think as a force on the ground which has to deal first-hand with the situation,the Army has the right to voice its opinion once in a while and it will also be taken note of, Raju said. The minister added that the army is playing a positive role in the state.