tribuneindia...Spotlight

			Monday, March 8, 1999
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Patel rules out reallocation
BANGALORE, March 7 (PTI) — The Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr J.H. Patel, under attack from some of his ministerial colleagues over the recent ministry expansion and reshuffle of portfolios, today categorically ruled out further reallocation of portfolios to assuage the feelings of the dissatisfied. "If allocation of portfolio is the main reason for ministers to resign, then no ministry can exist. Even god cannot satisfy them," Mr Patel told reporters here on his return from Mumbai.

6 killed in blasts
DHAKA, March 7 (PTI) — At least six persons were killed and more than 100 injured when two bombs exploded at a cultural function in Bangladesh's western Jessore district in the wee hours of today. The police suspected that terrorists set the time-bombs close to the open stage on the ground at Town Hall, first of which exploded at 1.10 p.m. (local time) and the second within five minutes. The function was organised to mark the 12th national conference of "udichi shilpi goshti", a Dhaka-based pro-liberation and Left-oriented progressive organisation of cultural activists.

ANC leader stabbed
JOHANNESBURG, March 7 (PTI) — A prominent leader of President Nelson Mandela's African National Congress (ANC), Walter Felgate, was stabbed and assaulted in South Africa's Kwazulu-Natal province stirring tension, sources said here today. Felgate, a former confidant of Mangosuthu Buthelezi, leader of the Zulu-based Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), was attacked yesterday while setting up an information desk for the ruling ANC ahead of the second democratic elections in the country on June 2, they said.

2 Cong workers killed
AHMEDABAD, March 7 (PTI) — Two Congress workers were killed and another seriously injured after a parcel bomb exploded at Upleta in Rajkot rural district yesterday, the police said here today. Upleta Taluka Youth Congress chief Girishbhai Sojitra along with another Congress activist, Ratibhai Padri, went to STD booth to collect a parcel, following a telephone call. Sojitra brought the parcel home and tried to open it when the parcel bomb exploded, killing him and Pardi on the spot. and seriously injuring another Congress worker Batukbhai Purani.

Probe ordered
LUCKNOW, March 7 (PTI) — The Uttar Pradesh Government has ordered a high-level probe into drinking water supply in some areas, hereafter cases of jaundice were reported from there. City Mayor Dr S.C. Rai said today that the probe would try to ascertain how contaminated water was supplied to Rajajipuram and walled city areas of the state capital. Four persons have died of jaundice and about 250 cases of hepatitis-B and hepatitis-A infection reported since last week from different localities.

11 LTTE men killed
COLOMBO, March 7 (UNI) — Security forces launched yet another operation against LTTE rebels in the Wanni battlefields killing at least 11 militants, Defence Ministry sources said today. This is the first military offensive this year which comes three months after the launch of operation Rivi Bala in December, last year.

Minister accused
BANGALORE, March 7 (UNI) — Karnataka Backward Classes and Minorities Minister Mallikayya Guttedar and another ruling Janata Dal legislator, Subash Guttedar, have been listed as accused in a murder case by the Maharashtra police. Ashok Guttedar, a relative of Subash Guttedar, has also been cited as an accused in the charge sheet. The case relates to the murder of one Basavaraj Poojari, whose body was found in Akkalkot South police station limits on January 26.