S P O T L I G H T

Largest anti-US rally in Pak
Karachi, October 26
At least 50,000 militants massed here today, burning the US flag and effigies of President George W. Bush, in the biggest anti-US protest since the bombing of Afghanistan began almost three weeks ago. The crowd, which grew by the minute, headed from the eastern district of Numaish to the city’s south. “According to my estimate the crowd is about 50,000-strong,” said police chief Tariq Jamil. AFP

30 feared drowned
Mysore, October 26
Nearly 30 persons were feared drowned when a private bus plunged into the Kalkuni reservoir at Malavalli taluk in Mandya district of Karnataka, this evening. The police said the bus fell into the reservoir after the driver lost control of the vehicle. UNI

Police firing kills 3
Nashik, October 26
Indefinite curfew was clamped on Malegaon township in Nashik district of Maharashtra today after three persons were killed when the police fire to quell violence which erupted following the distribution of pamphlets by Osama bin Laden's supporters appealing for boycott of US products. Ten persons, including five policemen, were injured in the violence. UNI

Curfew clamped on MP town
Indore, October 26
Curfew was imposed in Shujalpur town in Madhya Pradesh’s Shajapur district following violent clashes during a procession for immersion of the idol of Goddess Durga yesterday, the police said here today. The situation in the town, 120 km from here, was tense but under control, it said. The trouble started when members of a minority community raised objections over the procession passing through a religious place. PTI

Farmer commits suicide
BELLARY, October 26
Unable to pay back his loans, a farmer allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison at Hosadaroji village in Bellary district of Karnataka yesterday, the police said. It said the farmer had availed bank loans up to Rs 80,000 and had suffered crop loss. His house also collapsed, adding to his misery. PTI