Date:26/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/26/stories/2007042613350400.htm

Three girls drowned

GUNTUR: Three girls were drowned while washing clothes at the Kommamuru irrigation canal in Appapuram of Kakumanu mandal on Wednesday. They were identified as K. Chittemma (8), D. Vanaja (10) and E. Mounika (9) — all daughters of agricultural labourers. -

Two ryots end lives

KURNOOL: Weighed down by financial problems, two farmers committed suicide on Wednesday. Venkateswarlu (32) consumed poison at Pilligundla in Gonegandla mandal in Kurnool district. Pamulaparthi Chandraiah (50), a farmer of Surampalli of Doultabad mandal in Medak district, consumed pesticide. - Special Correspondent

Maoist dump found

Rajahmundry: The East Godavari district police have unearthed a huge dump of ammunition and arrested three Maoists and seven militants. B. Srinivasulu, SP, said on Wednesday that Kimidi Bangaraiah, Durla Padmanabham and Palagadda Radhakrishna of Gurthedu dalam were arrested between Pathakota and Gurthedu.

Session prorogued

HYDERABAD: The first session of the Legislative Council which commenced on April 2 has been prorogued on Tuesday by Governor Rameshwar Thakur, according to an official notification. - Special Correspondent

Invited to US meet

HYDERABAD: Bandlamudi Subba Rao, president of Prof. N.G. Ranga Foudation, has been invited to participate in the World Agricultural Forum's World Congress on May 8, 9 and 10 at St. Louis, Missouri, in the US. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is supporting the congress. - Special Correspondent

CPI(M) seeks probe

HYDERABAD: The CPI(M) State Committee has demanded a comprehensive enquiry into the human trafficking case. B.V. Raghavulu, secretary, in a statement here on Wednesday said State's prestige was damaged with Hyderabad being prominently linked to the scam. There was a need to ascertain and make public the role of various persons in the scam. - Special Correspondent

Bonus payment

HYDERABAD: The Centre issued orders on Tuesday extending incentive bonus for paddy procurement in the kharif to rabi 2006-07. Agriculture Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy said the time schedule for bonus payment had lapsed on March 31. Mr. Reddy said following the decision, the rate of foodgrains would be Rs. 620 a quintal and that of grade `A' variety Rs. 650. The new rates would be in force from April 1 to September 30. - Special Correspondent