Nitish calls  all-party meet today

 Patna, Sep 3 (PTI): Under attack from opposition for his alleged failure to handle the crisis arising out of the kidnapping of four policemen by Maoists, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has convened an all-party meeting here tomorrow to discuss the issue."The Chief Minister has called an all-party meeting at the state secretariat here tomorrow to discuss the situation and evolve consensus on this issue," an official spokesman said.The meeting would begin at 4PM tomorrow, he said.Kumar was also trying to personally contact the leaders of opposition parties to take them into confidence on the issue of kidnapping of the policemen during Sunday's encounter in Lakhisarai with the Maoists.  The RJD-LJP combine had yesterday accused the Chief Minister of "failing" to handle the crisis and urged Kumar to hold an all-party meeting on the sensitive issue.

Woman officer dragged on road by subordinates

Bareilly (UP), Sept 3 (PTI): In a shocking case, a woman police officer was dragged on the road by her subordinates in a vehicle after she objected to extortion by them in the name of traffic checking.  Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Kalpana Saxena, who is in hospital with a fractured hand and injuries on her head, said she had received information from an Army jawan last evening that some traffic constables were demanding bribes from truckers near the Jat regimental centre here.  "I rushed to the area along with the gunner and driver in a private car to catch them red handed.When I reached the area, I saw them extorting bribes from the truck drivers. The constables recognised me and tried to flee and crush me under their police vehicle," the 1990 batch officer of the state's Provincial Police Service said.  "I caught hold of the neck of the driver driving the vehicle and it dragged me for more than an kilometre in full public view. Finally, they threw me on the road," Saxena said.  Police said one of the accused has been arrested and hunt is on to nab the two others. They said that last evening Saxena got information that some constables were extorting money from the truck drivers after which she reached the spot with her driver and gunner.  After reaching the spot, when Saxena questioned the three constables present on the spot, they refused any extortion bid on which the officer asked her staff to check their pockets.Sensing trouble, the three constables attacked Saxena and later attempted to flee.  While they were fleeing, Saxena caught hold of the collar of one the constables, but instead of stopping the vehicle, the policemen sped away dragging the officer.  DIG N K Srivastav said all the three constables have been suspended and FIR has been lodged at the Cantt police station in this regard. "One of the accused Manoj Kumar had been arrested and efforts were being made to nab two others," he said.

One injured as building collapses

New Delhi, Sep 3 (PTI): One person was injured this morning when the roof of a portion of Police Lines building in north Delhi collapsed, fire brigade officials said.  The roof of the kitchen at the Centre Mess of the Police Lines in Kingsway Camp collapsed at around 9 am, the officials said. One person was injured in the incident and rushed to a nearby hospital.

Minor reshuffle in UP

Lucknow, Sep 3 (PTI): In a minor reshuffle, three senior IAS officers were transferred by the Uttar Pradesh government, an official spokesman said here todayDurga Shanker Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mayawati, has been relieved from the charge of Stamp and Registration Department, he said.Principal Secretary Agriculture Kapil Dev would replace Mishra.Sanjay Agarwal, who was recently posted as Principal Secretary Higher Education after returning from central deputation, has been shifted to Agriculture department.Official sources described the transfers as routine.

One killed, four injured in lightning

Hardoi (UP), Sep 3 (PTI): One person was killed and four others were injured after they were struck by lightning in Lonar area, police said here today.  Rajesh (38) was killed after being struck by lightning in Barwan village late last evening, they said, adding that the incident occurred when the victim was working in his fields.  Four persons identified as Chotte, Amreesh, Subir and Dhan Singh were injured in the incident. They have been admitted to a district hospital, police said.

Four MLAs, MP, 100 sarpanchs arrested

Jaipur, Sept 3 (PTI): Four MLAs, an MP and over 100 village heads were today detained ahead of their march to Rajasthan Assembly demanding abolition of contractual system and social auditing in MNREGA, police said. As soon as the Legislative Assembly began at 1100 hours after a day's break, the Speaker Dipender Singh Shekhawat informed the House that four MLAs R S Rathore, Om Birla, Amraram and Pawan Duggar were detained for allegedly provoking thousands of uncontrolled protestors last night.  Immediately after the news of the arrest spread, the Opposition led by the Deputy Leader G S Tiwari started raising anti-government slogans.The Question Hour which began amid acrimony was adjourned after 13 minutes.The IG-Jaipur Range B L Soni told PTI that Lok Sabha MP Kirorilal Meena and two hundred protestors, including 100 elected sarpanchs (village heads) were also detainedThe Assembly and Secretariat were barricaded and entry was restricted at all points, the SP said.

Couple commits suicide in Doda

Jammu, Sep 3 (PTI): A couple allegedly committed suicide by jumping into the Chenab river in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said here today.23-year-old Narinder Kumar, resident of Kastigarh village in Doda district, and 22-year-old unidentified girljumped into the river Chenab at Marsoo in Assar belt, about 130-kms from here, last evening, they said. Locals, who saw the couple taking the extreme step, informed the police. Some belongings of the couple were found from the spot, they said. A case has been registered and police is trying to ascertain the identity of the girl.