8 cops injured
RATLAM (MP), April 3 (PTI) — Eight policemen were injured in stone throwing, while the police burst tear-gas shells and lathicharged unruly farmers who were protesting against wheat-support price at Sailana Krishi Upaj mandi in Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh today. CSP VK Singh and Inspector Anandpal Singh were among those injured. The agitating farmers also torched some vehicles, including a police van, additional Collector KK Khare and Additional SP Lalchand Bhartiya said.

Union leader killed
MADURAI, April 3 (PTI) — A 25-year-old trade union leader, stated to be a supporter of the BJP, was hacked to death by a five-member gang at a village in Theni district of Tamil Nadu yesterday, the police said today. Five persons had been arrested in this connection which was suspected to have been committed due to rivalry on trade unions.

Iraqi oil site bombed
BAGHDAD, April 3 (Reuter) — Western warplanes bombed and destroyed a key control centre of the main pumping station used by Iraq to export oil via the southern Iraqi oil terminal of Mina-al-Bakr, an oil ministry spokesman said in remarks published today in all official newspapers. The spokesman said oil exports via the terminal resumed on Friday setting up an emergency centre, but at reduced levels.

Ceasefire extended
DIMAPUR, April 3 (ADNI) — The Indian Army has extended the unilateral suspension of operations against the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (K) guerrilla movement by a further period of six months up to October 15. This has been done because the unilateral suspension of operations by the armed forces since January 15 has proved benign in the attempt to find a peaceful solution to the political problem in Nagaland.

TNCC general secy
CHENNAI, April 3 (PTI) — The Congress in Tamil Nadu today received a jolt when one of the TNCC general secretaries and former MP, Dr P. Vallal Peruman, resigned from the party and joined the (TMC). Dr Peruman, in a statement issued here said he was joining the TMC in response to a call given by Mr G.K. Moopanar to all nationalist forces to come under one banner in the state to re-establish Congress rule in the state.

ABSU rejection
GUWAHATI, April 3 (UNI) — The All-Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and its alliance organisations today rejected the finalisation of Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC) Boundary by the Assam Government. ABSU President U.G. Brahma said the demarcation of BAC boundary was not the real problem. "The Bodo problem was a political one and it should be solved politically," he sought.

80 DK men held
CHENNAI, April 3 (UNI) — The police arrested about 80 volunteers of the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) when they attempted to show black flags to Union Minister of State for Environment Maneka Gandhi when she arrived here from Delhi today on a day's visit. DK volunteers were arrested when they gathered at the Kathipara junction to stage the demonstration in protest against the alleged diversion of funds meant for education of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes to the Animal Husbandry Department.

JMM threatens stir
RANCHI, April 3 (PTI) — The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (Soren) has threatened to launch an economic blockade across the Jharkhand region from June 16 if the Centre failed to grant statehood to the 18 districts in the region before the end of the Budget session of Parliament. JMM (S) Vice-President Suraj Mandal said yesterday if the BJP-led government at the Centre failed to honour its commitment to the people of South Bihar, "the entire region would be in flames."