Date:20/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/20/stories/2005122007680400.htm

Maoists kill clerk

MAHABUBNAGAR: Maoists shot dead a clerk Bakki Reddy working with a private commission agent in the market yard of Nagarkurnol on Monday. Bakki reddy was inspecting maize heaps when he was attacked. The market yard is situated close to the police station in the town. The reasons to kill Reddy are not known. - Correspondent

Exchange of fire

MAHABUBNAGAR: There was an exchange of fire between policemen and members of the CPI (Maoist) at Jangareddypally in Amrabad mandal on Monday. Noticing the police party, Maoists opened fire and the police retaliated. The police recovered kit bags from the scene and suspect that one Maoist was injured in the firing. - Correspondent

Poclain torched

Sangareddy: Maoists torched a poclain in the forest near Chinnasankarampet of Ramayampet mandal on Monday. According to the Ramayampet police, the local vana samrakshana samithi hired the poclain. Unidentified Maoists torched the heavy machine and left a warning not to employ heavy machinery. - Staff Reporter

Voting right sought

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Democratic Teachers' Federation has demanded voting rights for primary school teachers for electing their representatives to the proposed Legislative Council. N. Somasekara Sarma, president, in a statement here on Monday said denial of voting rights to primary school teachers who form the largest chunk of voters is not right. - Special Correspondent

Deal on pilot plant

HYDERABAD: The National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), the Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute and Kanoria Chemicals and Industries Ltd. recently signed an MoU to set up a pilot plant for upscaling production of value-added silica-based products from Kimberlite tailings. The MoU seeks to utilise the tailings for a value-added product based on R&D activities, according to a press release. The plant will be set up at Renukot in Uttar Pradesh. - Special Correspondent

Devotee's gesture

TIRUMALA: A devotee who wished not to be identified on Monday donated Rs.20 lakhs to the TTD. Of the amount, Rs.10 lakhs shall be utilised for newly-floated TTD's Pranadana scheme while the balance will be used for Nitya Annadanam scheme. The devotee deposited the entire amount in a bank at Tirumala. - Staff Reporter

Plays selected

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh State Film Television and Theatre Development Corporation Ltd. has selected 10 plays each in the categories of `padya natakam' and social theme and 12 other social playlets after preliminary scrutiny for 2005 theatre awards. The competitions for the selection will continue till December 22 and awards presented next day at Mahati Auditorium at Tirupati. - Special Correspondent

Police Duty Meet concludes

KURNOOL: The three-day Police Duty Meet concluded here on Monday. Addressing the function, DIG Vinay Kumar Singh said sports were important for mental and physical development of individuals. Physical fitness was more important for policemen. Also, the meet helped them demonstrate individual capabilities. Mr. Singh said policemen who excelled in sports would be deputed to Hyderabad for better training and participation in professional sports contests.

Collector Vikas Raj, SP M. Malla Reddy, Joint Collector Ramsankar Naik, Commandant APSP Bose Reddy and others were present. - Staff Reporter

Bus for Amma devotees

TIRUPATI: The Mata Amritanandamayi Seva Samithi, Tirupati, is arranging a bus to Chennai on Thursday for the benefit of local public, in connection with the visit of `Amma' to the Chennai ashram on December 22 and 23.

In a release, Samithi convener P. Narayanan appealed to the public to utilise the facility to have Amma's darshan and blessings. Those interested can contact him at 196A/1, Prakasam road, Tirupati-1 or over phone at 0877-226 0223.

Two die in road accidents

Nellore: Two persons were killed in separate road accidents in Nellore district on Monday.

At Adurpalli junction of Chejerla mandal, a 35-year old person was killed while reportedly attempting to overtake a tractor on his two-wheeler.

At Ramapuram of Kondapuram mandal, a 40-year old person was knocked down by an unidentified vehicle. - Staff Reporter

Dharna threat

MADANAPALLE: Members of the washermen community have threatened to stage a dharna on December 24 in protest against the raw deal meted out to the community.

Akkanapalli Lakshmiah, State director of Washerman Co-op.

Federation Ltd told reporters that as per records since 22 years a sum of Rs. 23 crores was spent towards the welfare of the washermen. However, the development was not visible physically and it was confined only to records.

He sought Rs. 25 crores for the welfare of the community besides education and health facilities for the members. - Correspondent