National brief

US Congress resolution to welcome PM

WASHINGTON: Commending the maturing of the relationship between India and the US,a resolution has been introduced in the US Congress to welcome Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his upcoming state visit to Washington the first in the Obama administration on November 24. The relationship between the US and India has great potential to promote stability,democracy,prosperity,and peace throughout the world and enhance the ability of both countries to work together to provide global leadership in areas of mutual concern and interest, it said.

Swine flu now hits Gujarat Health Secy

AHMEDABAD: Barely a week after Chief Minister Narendra Modi was diagnosed with swine flu,Health Secretary Dr Ravi Saxena tested positive for the H1N1 virus. Three suspected cases from the Health Department were also quarantined Director Epidemics Dr S J Gandhi,Health Commissioner Dr Mukesh Puri and Additional Health Director Dr Paresh Dave.

2002 riots: Accused moves apex court

AHMEDABAD: An accused in the Naroda Gam and Naroda Patiya massacres has moved an application before the Supreme Court to direct the Special Investigation Team SIT to ensure that the 2002 riot cases accused do not get victimized in the name of fair trial. In his petition,Bipin Panchal has contended that the SIT had not investigated certain cases,wherein persons from the majority community were victims. Panchal also pleaded that the SIT ensure that false or frivolous witnesses were not produced and examined in the trial.

Ex-MP held while filing nomination

Sahebganj: JMM8217;s former MP Hemlal Murmu,against whom a non-bailable warrant was pending,was arrested on Thursday when he came to file nomination papers for the Barheit Assembly constituency in Sahebganj. He was sent to 14 days in judicial custody.

6 AMU students suspended

Aligarh: Six students of the Aligarh Muslim University AMU have been suspended for misconduct and indiscipline during last weeks agitation at the campus over the killing of an undergraduate student. The six have also been accused of delivering inflammatory speeches against senior university officials.

No action against staff in case of delay

New Delhi: Disciplinary proceedings against a government employee can be quashed if there is inordinate and unexplained delay in initiating it,the Central Administrative Tribunal has said. The Tribunal passed the order while quashing a departmental inquiry against a CPWD engineer on the ground that the government had initiated the proceeding against him after 13 years.

BJP youth leader shot dead in MP

Gwalior: Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha BJYM district president Bunty Parmar was on Thursday shot dead at his residence-cum-office near here,police said. Parmar 25 sustained a bullet wound to his head,and was declared brought dead by doctors at the hospital. His brothers loaded pistol was found lying at the spot.

Karuna wants CISF to guard Mullaperiyar

Chennai: Tamil Nadu CM M Karunanidhi has accused Kerala of creating obstacles and demanded deployment of Central Industrial Security Force to guard the Mullaperiyar dam. To prevent Kerala government from continuing to create obstacles,it would be better to deploy the CISF personnel to guard the dam, he said. ens amp; pti