tribuneindia...Spotlight

			Friday, December 17, 1999
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PWG ultras blow up rail tracks
PATNA, Dec 16 (UNI) — The Peoples War Group (PWG) extremists blew up railway tracks by dynamite between Taregna and Nadwa stations on Eastern Railway’s Patna-Gaya section of Danapur division last night. Patna District Police Superintendent (Rural) Ravindra Shankaran after visiting the site said here today the explosion was so powerful the tracks were thrown away at a distance of 50 to 60 feet.
7 killed in clash
CALCUTTA, Dec 16 (UNI) — At least seven persons were killed in a group clash near Tehatta in Nadia district today, the police said. Deputy Inspector-General (Headquarters) Ramkrishna Ray said here senior police officials, including the Superintendent of Police, had rushed to Baria village under Tehatta police station following the clash.

Parties’ merger
Tribune News Service
NEW DELHI, Dec 16 — The formal merger of the Samata Party and the Lok Shakti into the Janata Dal (United) will take place on January 6, it was decided today. A meeting of the Janata Dal (United) steering committee, presided over by Civil Aviation Minister Sharad Yadav here, unanimously decided the “merger conference” would be held on January 6.
Patil bereaved
NEW DELHI, Dec 16 (UNI) — Mrs Vijaya Patil, wife of former Lok Sabha Speaker and Union Minister Shivraj Patil, MP, died at Latur in Maharashtra today. Mrs Patil (50) was ailing for some time. Mr Patil was at her bedside. Besides her husband, she is survived by one son and one daughter.
Samata leader quits
PATNA, Dec 16 (PTI) — Samata Party general secretary Sanjay Verma today quit the party and joined the Congress. Mr Verma announced his decision to join the Congress in the presence of Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee president Sadanand Singh here.
Cargo ship sinks
BEIJING, Dec 16 (PTI) — A Panamanian cargo ship sank in the South China Sea but the crew of 17 have all been rescued, an official report said here today. The ship sank at 10.10 a.m. (7.40 am IST) the China Maritime Search and Rescue Centre was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.
Israel-Syria talks
WASHINGTON, Dec 16 (PTI) — The historic Israel-Syria peace talks continued today despite a bumpy start and no progress with Israeli Premier Ehud Barak turning down US President Bill Clinton’s proposal for a second round of high-level discussions with the Syrians next week. Mr Clinton, commenting on the progress of the talks, said they were “going pretty well, but it’s hard going”.
VC appointed
MUMBAI, Dec 16 (PTI) — Maharashtra Governor and Chancellor of state universities Dr P.C. Alexander today appointed Mr K.P. Sonawane the Vice-Chancellor of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (BSAMU), Aurangabad. Mr sonawane succeeds Dr S.B. Nakade, whose term as the Vice-Chancellor ended on November 3.