AHMEDABAD: Hundreds of policemen took up positions and video cameras installed today as authorities prepared to ensure a smooth conduct of the annual rathyatra of the Jagannath temple here tomorrow.

The city police commissioner, P G J Mampoothiri, told reporters that 22 companies of State Reserve Police, eight companies of Border Homeguard, four companies of Rapid Action Force and one company of Mahila CRPF will be deployed in the city during the rathyatra. Besides, six companies of the Rajasthan police, three of Maharashtra police and one company of Madhya Pradesh state armed police would keep constant vigil.

Shops, houses of liquor baron razed

JAMSHEDPUR: The district administration has demolished the house and shops of liquor don, Jairam Singh Yadav, the prime accused in the alleged murder of one SL Sharma at Khuntadih under Sonari police station, according to the deputy commissioner, Sanjay Kumar. The house and nine shops of Jairam Yadav built on Tisco's encroached land were yesterday razed to ground by a demolition squad. Al licenses held by Yadav have been recalled, the deputy commissioner said. Earlier, the district administration attached the properties of all the accused involved in the case.

`Congress Special' train to Calcutta

NEW DELHI: A special train known as `Congress Special' will carry party president Sitaram Kesri and other senior leaders from here to Calcutta for the plenary session of the AICC beginning August eight.

The train will start from new Delhi railway station on August 6 and carry the steering committee members and other leaders. Steering committee member and former union minister Balram Jakhar said the idea was to make stopovers enroute and have directed contact with the masses. Dr Jakhar said Congress leadership was very keen to re-establish direct links with people.

Two bomb blasts rock Melur

MADURAI: TWO separate bomb explosions rocked Melur in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu since Friday night, police informed today. Police said a country-made bomb exploded near a marriage hall damaging the outer wall, while another bomb exploded in the staircase of a house. However, no damage was done to the building in the second incident.

It may be recalled that six Dalits, including Melavalavu panchayat president Murugesan, were brutally murdered on Monday last. A sniffer dog and an explosive expert were pressed into service. Police have beefed up security in the area.

Bid to burn raiding official

SULTANPUR: THE district civil supplies officer and a homeguard suffered serious burn injuries when an unauthorised dealer in diesel and kerosene tried to set them afire in Kalka bazar area in this district Friday. The officer, A K Dubey, and the homeguard had gone to raid the shop of the dealer. An official spokesman here said that a case of attempt to murder obstruction in government work, destruction of evidence and offence under the essential commodities act has been registered against the dealer Mohanlal and others.

Rs 55 lakh for Gujarat flood relief

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister I K Gujral today sanctioned Rs 55 lakh from the Prime Minister's national relief fund for disbursement to the kin of those who lost their lives in the recent heavy rains and floods in Gujarat. An official release here said that the distributed at the rate of Rs 50,000 each would be sanctioned for the relatives of the deceased.