Date:18/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/18/stories/2006051807870400.htm

Coop bank staff launch relay hunger strike

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh State Cooperative Bank Employees' Association on Wednesday launched a three-day relay hunger strike as part of the direct action initiated by the Joint Forum of All-India Bank Employees' organisations in support of long-pending demands.

B.S. Rambabu of Andhra Pradesh Bank Employees' Federation launched the hunger strike. Vasantha Nageswara Rao, bank chairman, visited the camp and assured the leaders to hold discussions on their demands on May 22. - Special Correspondent

South-west monsoon sets in

VISAKHAPATNAM: South-west monsoon set in on Wednesday over parts of south-east Bay of Bengal, Nicobar Islands and south Andaman Sea, according to a special weather bulletin issued by the Cyclone Warning Centre here on Wednesday.

Conditions are favourable for further advance of south-west monsoon over remaining parts of south-east Bay and Andaman Sea and some more parts of east-central Bay during the next two-three days, the bulletin added. - Special Correspondent

Panchaloha idols recovered

Kakinada: Rajanagaram Sub-Inspector Bhaskar Rao, along with two constables -- Raghu and Krishna - on a tip-off, recovered here on Tuesday two panchaloha idols of goddess Sridevi and Chakra Perumallu stolen from Sri Venkateswera Swamy temple in Talluru village a couple of days ago. The idols with antique value date back to 15-16th century. - Correspondent

Body of naxal found

ONGOLE: The Police found the body of a woman naxalite Uma alias Shaik Meera Bee in Ardhaveedu mandal of Prakasam district on Wednesday. It was believed that she might have been injured in the exchange of fire that took place at Bogole village in Ardhaveedu mandal on May 15 and died subsequently. The police recovered five kit bags and one country-made gun lying by the side of the body.

- Special Correspondent

Bt cotton seed: Minister's directive

HYDERABAD: Agriculture Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy, who is touring Egypt, on Wednesday directed his department officials to initiate immediate steps to curb illegal entry of Bt cotton seed into the market in some districts.

A press release issued by the Minister's office here stated that Egypt Government officials showed keen interest in micro and sprinkler irrigation and crop management being adopted by the State, the release added. - Special Correspondent

Minor `raped'

VIZIANAGARAM: An 8-year-old girl of Rellivalasa village in Pusapatirega mandal was allegedly raped after luring her to a mangrove by one K. Appalanaidu, 30, of the same village on Tuesday. The victim was admitted to Ghosha Hospital here on Wednesday where doctors reportedly confirmed bruises on her. The accused is at large. - Correspondent

Leather park to come up at Krishnapatnam

NELLORE : An International Leather Park will soon come up at Krishnapatnam. A team, comprising representatives of Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Limited (ILFS) and Leather Industries Development Corporation Limited (Lidcap), visited Krishnapatnam on Tuesday to inspect the allocated site. It assessed that 37 MW of power and five tmcft of water would be required for the park.

- Staff Reporter

Telugu `mahasabha'

at Bellary

HYDERABAD: Leading Tollywood actors will be given the Bellary Raghava Awards during a two-day Telugu `mahasabha' to be held at Bellary in Karnataka on May 27 and 28.

Bellary-based Karnataka Telugu Federation is organising the conference. - Special Correspondent

Road repairs in Chittoor

CHITTOOR: Chittoor district is one among the districts in the State selected for repair of roads in the country on experimental basis. The Roads and Buildings Department has sent a proposal to the Government for approval of repair of 250 km covering 20 roads in the State. - Correspondent

Police take out rally

Madanapalle: A traffic rules awareness rally was taken out by the police on Wednesday. It was led by Circle Inspector Circar and SI M. Chandrasekhar. Seventy five autorickshaws and jeeps participated in the rally which wound its way through the main streets of the town. - Correspondent

Rural sports contests

KADAPA: The Federation of Farmers Associations of Kadapa district will organise a two-day rural sports competitions - `Eruvaka Tirunala' at Kadapa municipal stadium from May 19, for rural men and women. The competitions include kabaddi, 200 m relay for men and 200 me relay and rangoli for women. - Staff Reporter

Takes charge

TIRUPATI: At a simple function Vice-Chancellor of Sri Venkateswara University S. Jayarama Reddy on Wednesday assumed office as the in-charge V-C of Yogi Vemana University coming up at Kadapa. He took the occasion to list out the series of progressive measures he had taken to streamline SVU activities. - Special Correspondent

Gang decamps with Rs. 50,000

ADILABAD: A gang of five relieved a cotton commission agent of Rs. 50,000 at knifepoint at Bhainsa town in Adilabad district in the wee hours of Wednesday. Bhainsa CI K. Surender Reddy said Purushottam Verma of Marwadi Galli, alleged that he was robbed by five unidentified persons, who gained entry into his house after knocking on the door. After the robbery the miscreants allegedly forced Verma into a jeep parked about a km from his house. Verma managed to escape by jumping off the vehicle. - Staff Reporter

Fish fingerlings released

ADILABAD: Adilabad MLA C. Ramchander Reddy on Wednesday morning released nearly 4.5 fish fingerlings in the Satnala medium irrigation tank. He was accompanied by Deputy Director of Fisheries Gopinath Sai, Adilabad Joint Director Khwaja Moinuddin and Fisheries Development Officer Heera Singh from Nirmal. - Staff Reporter

Takes charge