tribuneindia...Spotlight

			Tuesday, February 2, 1999
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Stir hits life in Sikkim
GANGTOK, Feb 1 (PTI) — Normal life was paralysed today in Sikkim in a 24-hour general strike, sponsored by the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) to protest against the Centre's "unilateral" decision to raise the prices of essential commodities. All state-run institutions, central government offices, banks, post offices and other business establishments remained closed following the strike, which began at 6 a.m. The educational institutions in the state are closed for winter vacation. Deputy Inspector-General of Police O.H. Subba said "the strike is total and peaceful. There are no reports of untoward incidents from any part of the state". Vehicles of the Sikkim Nationalised Transport (SNT) and those affiliated to the mainline Taxi and Jeep Drivers' Association were off the roads. No local taxis were also seen plying.

Saddam's offer
BAGHDAD, Feb 1 (AP) — President Saddam Hussein has ordered a reward of 25 million dinars ($ 14,000) to any Iraqi who shoots down an enemy plane, a weekly newspaper reported today. He also decreed that anyone who brings down a missile will get 10 million dinars ($ 5,600), Nabdh Al-Shabab newspaper said. The reward for capturing an enemy pilot is five million dinars ($ 2,800). The report could not be independently confirmed. Although Nabdh Al-Shabab quoted a statement from the President's Office, no other government newspaper reported it.

Digital broadcasting
NEW DELHI, Feb 1 (UNI) — Digital video and audio broadcasting is expected to commence for the first time in the country from Doordarshan and All India Radio kendras in the metropolitan cities from the next financial year. Initially, the digital broadcasting will be taken up as a pilot project on a trial basis from one or two cities, Doordarshan Engineering-in-Chief B.K. De indicated here today while addressing a news conference here in his capacity as President of the Broadcasting Engineering Society (India).

Fishermen detained
KARACHI, Feb 1 (AFP) — Pakistan has detained 27 Chinese fishermen on charges of illegal fishing, the first such seizure involving Chinese boats, officials said today. The Chinese, aged between 20 and 35, were taken into custody by the Maritime Security Agency (MSA) which spotted their four boats fishing in Pakistan's Arabian Sea territorial waters, officials said.

6 Tigers killed
COLOMBO, Feb 1 (AFP) — Government soldiers shot dead at least six Tamil Tiger guerrillas in fresh fighting in north-east Sri Lanka, the Defence Ministry said here today. Soldiers ambushed a group of fighters from the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Pulmoddai and killed five of them yesterday, the ministry said in the statement.

Christians protest
AIZAWL, Feb 1 (PTI) — Christian community members in Mizoram today took out a silent protest march here against "persecution" of their brethren in some other parts of the country and urged President K.R. Narayanan to ensure an end to the assaults. The procession was the largest organised by Christians in the state so far. The community members also held mass prayer meetings in local churches.

Lok Ayukta Bill
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Feb 1 (PTI) — The Kerala Lok Ayukta Bill, 1999, envisaging effective inquiry and investigation into complaints against public servants, was introduced in the state Assembly today. The Bill, which replaces the Kerala Lok Ayukta Ordinance 1998, was piloted by Law Minister E. Chandrasekharan Nair.

ATCs' stir
CHENNAI, Feb 1 (PTI) — Air traffic controllers (ATCs) at Chennai airport today began an indefinite "work-to-rule" agitation in response to a call for such a nationwide action by the ATC Guild, but officials said flight services were unaffected here. The guild is demanding appointment of a member (ATC) on the board of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), weekly off, filling up of vacancies among ATC cadre and implementation of allowances recommended by the Julka and Lahoti committees.

Rice scheme
BHUBANESWAR, Feb 1 (PTI) — The Orissa Government today announced it will continue to supply rice at Rs 2 a kg to people below the poverty line (BPL) in 143 Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) blocks in the state despite the recent hike in prices of rice issued through the PDS. Chief Minister J.B. Patnaik told newspersons rice being sold at Rs 4 per kg for people below the poverty line in the rest 171 blocks would cost Rs 5 from now.