Date:30/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/30/stories/2006013010150400.htm

YSR pays tributes to Mahatma Gandhi

HYDERABAD : Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy has paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of his 58th death anniversary on January 30.

In a message, he said Gandhi was a multi-faceted genius who became a legend in his own lifetime. - Special Correspondent

Three killed as mini-bus hits lorry

ONGOLE : Three persons died and 26 others suffered injuries when the mini-bus they were travelling in hit against a stationery lorry from behind near Singarayakonda in Prakasam district on Sunday.

According to the police, 29 persons belonging to weaver families of Bhoodan Pochampalli in Nalgonda district were on a pilgrimage.

The dead were identified as Thadava Satyanarayana, 45, his wife Lalitha,40, and son Hariprasad, 22. - Special Correspondent

Software engineer found dead

Nellore : The body of M. Arjuna Das, 26, said to be working as a software engineer at Infosys company, Hyderabad, was found on the railway track here on Sunday. He joined the company just seven months ago. - Staff Reporter

TDP's `padayatra' for `jala sadhana'

KARIMNAGAR : Telugu Desam Party deputy leader in the Assembly T. Devender Goud formally launched his `Godavari jala sadana padayata' from the Sripada Sagar project (Yellampalli) in Ramagundam mandal on Sunday.

Before launching the `yatra', he along with other party leaders offered prayers at the river

Godavari and pledged that they would ensure water to the entire Telangana region. - Staff Reporter

Police, naxalites exchange fire

KURNOOL : There was an exchange of fire between Maoists and the police near Upper Ahobilam in the Nallamala forest area in Kurnool district on Sunday.

According to sources, no casualties were reported either side. The police recovered a tapancha, detonator, grenade, a claymore mine, a large quantity of electric detonators and four kit bags.

In Adilabad district, a special party policemen and Maoists exchanged fire near Dongapalli village in Jannaram mandal on Sunday. However, there was no casualty.

Twelve kit bags, two landmines, two walkie talkie sets, five detonators, three camera flash lights, 15 audio cassettes and a camera were recovered from the spot. - Staff Reporter

Woman stabbed to death

Kakinada : In the height of a petty quarrel, Palagurti Kannamma, 40, was allegedly stabbed to death by her husband Annavaram at Kaikavolu SC Colony under Pedapudi police station limits on Saturday night.

-Correspondent

Fisherman drowned

KAKINADA : Kaleti Veerraju, 35, a fisherman of Muggupet area here, was drowned in Upputeru while fishing near Yetimoga on Saturday. -Correspondent

Landmines unearthed

VISAKHAPATNAM : A special party of Visakhapatnam district police seized seven landmines on the Orissa-Andhra border on Sunday.

Six tiffin carrier and one suitcase type landmines were recovered on the kutcha track between Rollagedda village in Chitrakonda police station limits in Malkangiri district of Orissa and Digujanaba village in Annavaram police station limits in Visakhapatnam district. - Staff Reporter

Huge haul of cheap liquor

ANANTAPUR : The Rayadurg police on Sunday had a huge haul of cheap liquor smuggled from Karnataka and stored in a Forest Department community hall at Mallapuram thanda in Rayadurg mandal. Two persons were arrested. - Staff Reporter

Boy meets watery grave

Nellore: The body of a 14-year-old boy was found floating in Pennar river on Sunday evening. Police identified him as Seenu, said to be a rag picker, who apparently went for a bath in the river, resulting in the tragedy. Further investigation is on. - Staff Reporter

Record earnings for Tirupati RTC

TIRUPATI: The Tirupati depot of APSRTC has surpassed its own record by netting Rs.10.67 lakhs on January 16, the highest ever revenue earned on a single day. At a meeting, Chief Controller of Stores (Head office) T.V. Subba Reddy appealed to them to work with dedication to put the corporation on the road to profit. District Regional Manager S. Dharma Reddy presided. - Staff Reporter

Two killed, 15 hurt in accident

Nellore: Two persons were killed on the spot and 15 others were injured when the tourist bus in which they were travelling reportedly rammed into a stationary lorry, on the national highway near Kota cross roads, of Chillakur police station limits, on Saturday. According to the police, the passengers were on their way to Kalki Bhagawan temple at Vardayyapalem, Chittoor district, when the accident occurred.

The deceased were identified as K. Narayana, (52), and G. Umakantam (48). - Staff Reporter

Textile trader succumbs to burns

KURNOOL: Textile trader Padmanabha Rao, who attempted suicide along with his wife and daughter, died here on Saturday. The two women were in a critical condition.

It may be recalled that the family, hailing from Nandyal, attempted suicide by setting themselves ablaze allegedly due to pressure from certain leaders to quit the post of temple committee chief. - Staff Reporter

TRS rebel's padayatra today

Sangareddy : TRS dissident legislator T. Jayaprakash will embark on a two-day `padayatra' from Sangareddy to Hyderabad on Monday to meet Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and demand for a development package for his constituency. The Sangareddy legislator, who earlier created a record by walking all the way to Tirumala from Sangareddy, will complete his `padayatra' in two days. Mr. Jayaprakash wants Rs. 1.30-crore package for repair of minor irrigation structures and assured drinking water. - Staff Reporter

Boy meets watery grave

Record earnings for Tirupati RTC

Gesture to orphans

JEYPORE: Blankets were distributed to the inmates of the Maamuni Ashram orphanage here on the Republic Day by members of `Srushti', the ladies club of the State Bank of India.

SBI main branch chief manager R.K. Dey, appreciating the gesture of the club, advised its members to strengthen their activities towards empowering women, besides serving the needy in society.

Club president G. Savitri, its secretary Annapurna Nayak and SBI evening branch manager Pundarikaksha Rao spoke.

Free training in technical trades

Kakinada: Free training will be imparted to Christian educated boys and girls in self employment technical trades such as radio and TV servicing, emergency lights maintenance, grinders, solar lights, cookers and power invertors, basic electronics, besides tailoring and embroidery, according to P. Krishna Kanth, founder of Elim Technical Training Institute.

- Correspondent

Man murdered

SRIKAKULAM: B. Venkatanarasayya (55) of Chennapuram village in Narsannapeta mandal was killed allegedly by a rival group numbering 12 persons when he was retuning from the fields on Sunday morning. According to A. Sreeramamurthy, Deputy Superintendent of Police who visited the scene of offence, the deceased was the main accused in a murder case in 1988 and was serving life sentence. On the occasion of Independence Day in 2004, he along with others were released on mercy grounds. Struggle for supremacy in the village was stated to be the reason for the murder. - Special Correspondent

Rs. 90,000 cash stolen

Nellore: Unidentified offenders who diverted the attention of a businessman stationed at Nawapet, Nellore town, allegedly snatched away a bag containing Rs. 90,000 on Saturday by throwing Rs. 10 currency notes on the ground. According to information, the miscreants who were following him, escaped with the money after diverting his attention. The police, however, said they have not received any complaint. - Staff Reporter

BCs stage dharna

KURNOOL: Members of Backward Classes staged a demonstration here on Saturday in support of their demands. The protesters demanded reservation in elected bodies for BCs. - Staff Reporter