The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Briefly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 03, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Briefly

By Our Staff Reporter

Two die in accident

PERAMBALUR MAY 2. Two youths, both quarry contractors, were killed when their motorcycle collided with a tempo traveller of the police department at Irur near here today.

The police were taking a TADA detenu from Tiruchi to Poonamalle for a trial. The police said P. Mani (27) of Padalur and P. Sakthi (25) of Namakkal, tried to overtake a lorry. They were rushed to the district headquarters hospital in Perambalur, where they were declared dead.

Young scientists programme

MADURAI May 2. A one-month residential programme, `Young Student Scientists Programme' for students in the age group of 14 to 15, will begin tomorrow at the American College here.

The Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology, Chennai, and the Ministry of Human Resource Development, New Delhi, will organise the programme, said a press release. Participants from Madurai and Ramnad districts will be accommodated in the college hostel.

The students will be assisted in designing simple experiments and using scientific equipment in laboratories. Experts from Madurai Medical College, Madurai Kamaraj University and other institutions will give guest lectures.

One-year RI for poachers

Tirunelveli May 2. A Shencottai court has awarded one-year rigorous imprisonment to three poachers and imposed a fine of Rs. 1,000. According to the Prosecution, a special team of forest personnel nabbed A. Mohammed alias Kotapuli of Vadakarai during regular patrolling on September 29, 1998. On information provided by him, the team detained S. Singadurai and M.Koththaalan of Arulaakshi and Manickampillai of Kasimajorpuram, P. Samuel of Puliyankudi, Chinnapandi of Mettupatti, Chelladurai.

Nineteen skins of spotted deer, three horns of sambar and two horns of spotted deer were also seized. As Manickampillai admitted the crime, he was let off with a fine of Rs. 10,000. While sentencing Mohammed, Singadurai and Koththaalanto were sentenced to one-year rigorous imprisonment, the judicial magistrate acquitted the others.

Memoirs released

CHENNAI May 2. The memoirs of veteran CPI (M) leader, P. Ramachandran, was released at a function held under the auspices of Madras Kerala Samaj on Sunday. The party State secretariat member, Meenakshi Sundaram handed the first copy of `Ente Viplava Jeevitham' to party leader, C.P. Damodaran. It documents the early struggle of the Communist movement. Mr. Ramachandran said committed work and extensive reading were essential for party workers. K. Krishnan, party secretary, Chennai (North) district committee, T.M.R. Panicker, chairman, Madras Kerala Samaj and C. Bhaskaran of Chintha Publishers, also spoke.

TNAU collaboration

Coimbatore May 2. The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) will carry out several collaborative ventures in research and development to promote horticulture in the State. Increasing the horticultural growth rate by eight per cent was high on its agenda, as it would help achieve the country's target set during the Tenth Five Year Plan. At a meeting of horticultural scientists here recently, the Dean (Horticulture), E. Vadivel, said the varsity was collaborating with China to develop large-scale production of moringa.

It was entering into a venture with the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre, Taiwan, for vegetable soya production. Training programmes were being planned in supply chain management in collaboration with Michigan State University. It was also working with the State Department of Horticulture to promote precision farming. The Director of Research, S. Ramanathan, also spoke.

Boy killed in fire mishap

Pondicherry May 2. A twelve-year-old boy died and his parents sustained serious burns in a fire accident at a cracker-manufacturing unit in Kuruvinatham near here today. They were admitted to a hospital. While the boy died, the couple is said to be in critical condition.

Red sanders seized

CHENNAI MAY 2. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Friday seized 64 tonnes of red sanders during raids in Tuticorin, Namakkal and Pollachi. A release from M. Veeraiyan, Additional Director General (Chennai), said a team checked a ship at the Tuticorin Port and seized more than 550 logs of the wood, weighing 16 tonnes, concealed in coir products. Godowns in Namakkal and Pollachi were raided and 48 tonnes of the wood, seized. The value of the wood was put at Rs. 2.5 crores. Seven persons were arrested.

Poll duty for ex-servicemen

DINDIGUL MAY 2. The Assistant Director of Ex-Servicemen Association, M. Madhavan, today asked ex-servicemen to report at his office here with their identity cards to take part in poll security in the district. They were requested to fill up application forms meant for the duty immediately on all working days.

Free coaching class

MADURAI MAY 2. The Students Federation of India and the Madurai Kamaraj - Manonmaniam Sundaranar University Teachers Association will jointly organise a free coaching class for candidates appearing for the entrance examination to law courses from May 6. For registration and more details contact the Secretary, Students Federation of India, 6-A, Kaka Thoppu Street, Madurai or dial 2341272.

Water level

MADURAI MAY 2. The level in the Periyar dam stood at 109.10 feet (total level 136 feet) with an inflow of 285 cusecs and a discharge of 100 cusecs. The Vagai dam received a meagre inflow of 16 cusecs, with the level standing at 22.61 feet (total level 71 feet). The combined Periyar credit was 844 mcft.

Rainfall

Kallandiri and the Sothuparai dam received three mm of rainfall each in the last 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. today.

Rajapalayam received the highest rainfall of 82 mm in Virudhunagar district.

Other places that received showers are (in mm): Watrap 12.6 and Srivilliputtur 9.4 mm.

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