Defence Minister George Fernandes got a taste of typical police bandobust at Mantralaya when he came to meet Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde on Saturday.

Fernandes had come to Mantralaya in a private car without usual paraphernalia like armed guards and escort vehicles which accompanies a VIP. The Defence Minister's car was stopped at the Mantralaya main gate and his personal assistant tried to reason with policemen on duty in vain. The duty conscious cops did not budge as they did not have any `proof' that the occupant of the car was really the country's Defence Minister. Fernandes' car was allowed to pass only after his Samata Party colleague and labour union leader Sharad Rao, pleaded with the policemen.

Prompt help for accident victims

The Mumbai Traffic Police Control Branch in collaboration with Sion Hospital is planning to render prompt and better services to accident victims. A team of experts from Sion hospital will hold a two-week longextensive training programme on first aid and basic life support to eight officers and 32 constables from October 5. The cops will be trained on careful handling of accident victims before removal to the hospital. A medical kit will also be provided to the traffic police to be kept a various important junctions in the city.

Jobless youth dupes investors of Rs 14 lakh

A 24-year-old unemployed graduate set up a finance company with promises of big returns to investors and duped his clients of Rs 14 lakh before being arrested last week. Unable to get a job in spite of his graduation, Vanesh Pramod Panchal found setting up a firm on his own a much easier option.

After a series of advertisements in January 1997, he launched B-Lions Finance and Security Ltd along with his childhood friend Vinod Dadhu Thikuduve alias Desai at Jambli Naka in Thane. With promises of high returns Panchal found there were enough takers for his investment schemes.