The Indian Express The Financial Express Latest News Elections '98 Express Investment Week Market Indicators Screen Express Computers Travel & Tourism Advertisers Forum Information Technology Drumbeat: Ad Buzzaar Astrosurf Eco-India Career India Business Forum Match Maker Express Properties

Politics Business Expressions General Sports Leisure States 13 February 1998   Pre-poll violence hits Tripura too Close on the heels of slaying of the CPI (ML) candidate and attempt on the life of a minister in Assam, Tripura turned into a killing field with militants gunning down 17 people, injuring 10 and burning down villages in three separate incidents since Wednesday night. In the first attack, the outlawed All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) guerrillas struck Orabari village in the Mohanpur Assembly constituency at about 7.30 pm and set fire to about 30 huts, killing five.   Iran, Iraq forge anti-US pact: report Senior intelligence and security officials from Iran and Iraq have reportedly met secretly to forge an alliance in the face of the growing US military build-up in the Gulf. Confirmation of the meeting would provide evidence that the once bitter foes are developing new contacts and putting aside, for the time being, obstacles that have blocked normalisation of ties since their 1980-88 war. Russia warns US to desist from strike on Iraq Russia yesterday cautioned the United States to desist from using any posssible military use against Iraq as otherwise it would lead to worsening of relations between two nuclear powers in the world. The Russian Defence Minister expressed concern at the prospects of the development of Russian-American military cooperation in the event of a military strike at Iraq. No threat to Koyna dam due to quake There was no threat to Koyna dam in Maharashtra in the wake of mild reservoir-induced earthquake that shook the region on Wednesday. This was revealed by the director of National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) Harsh Gupta. He further added that the NGRI recorded tremors with a magnitude of 4.5 on Richter Scale and was constantly keeping a watch on seismic activity in the region.   Wandhama carnage the last straw for Pandits Huddled in one corner of the room, G L Bhat wonders when he will return to the Valley from where he was hounded out by the fear created after the massacre of 23 Kashmiri Pandits last month. Bhat, hailing from Badshah Nagar, is among the 30-odd Kashmiri Pandits who recently migrated from various parts of the Valley in the aftermath of the Wandhama carnage. Rs 122-crore Haj subsidy proposed The Union Government has asked the Cabinet to clear Rs 122 crore as this year's Haj subsidy. The formal Cabinet note seeking the augmented subsidy which has been circulated to the Union Ministries of Finance and External Affairs was sent two days ago to the Cabinet Secretariat.     Quicktakes   Use of loudspeakers sparks riots in Akola; 41 people arrested   Joshi chides officials for tardy performance   State minister helps mishap victims; 12 die   Prodigals return, safe & sorry   I had no clue about SP petition   A marriage of welfare and celebration   New `special' mantra for old ills   "Rent Act should not follow SC guidelines"   "Mob had set a bus ablaze before SRPF opened fire"   Mumbai Notes   Girls tonsured for "cross-community" love   New Rent Act before deadline, says Jain   HC permits Pappu Kalani's transfer to Yeravada jail   Mumbai Beat