Ropeway crash

Chennai, Aug. 26: Four pilgrims died and two were injured in a ropeway accident in the temple town of Palani on Sunday.

The crash occurred when the “hook” of a cable-car gliding up the hill shrine came off the cable, sending it crashing into another car down the rope. Under the impact, the second car plunged 40 feet and smashed into a rock.

All four victims were in the second car.

Power to the ropeway was switched off and over 20 pilgrims stuck in other cable-cars were rescued with the help of police and fire-brigade personnel.

The ropeway with 14 cable cars was built by a Calcutta firm over a year ago to help manage the rising number of pilgrims at the shrine, 425km from Chennai.

Bardhan offer

New Delhi (PTI): CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan has said he wants to retire to make way for a younger leader, but the party played down the comment. “Our party congress is going to be held in Hyderabad. I will appeal there but I don’t think they will allow me to go,” said the 81-year-old (in picture), who spoke of his age as a constraint for the first time.

Gujjar heat

Jhalarapatan (Rajasthan) (PTI): Gujjars have threatened a nationwide agitation if their demand for Scheduled Tribe status is not met by September 12. The decision was taken at a meeting on Sunday attended by Colonel (retd) Kirori Lal Baisna who had spearheaded Gujjar protests in May-June.

Bribe cuffs

Mumbai (PTI): Dadarao Sahdeorao Datkar, an officer on special duty to Maharashtra cabinet minister Patangrao Kadam, has been held for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000.

Flight snag

Varanasi (PTI): A Patna-Delhi Jetlite aircraft had a close shave on Sunday when one of its front tyres burst while landing at the airport here. All 68 passengers were evacuated safely, an airport official said.