MUMBAI: Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital this evening after he complained of exhaustion and breathlessness. However, immediate cardiac investigations showed him to be normal on most parameters, said doctors attending on him. Thackeray was advised to stay the night at the hospital. Cardiac surgeons Dr Nitu Mandke and Dr Jamshed Dalal are attending to him. He has been advised rest and relaxation for a few days.

Stir in DD, AIR

NEW DELHI: Doordarshan and All India Radio services were partially affected today with engineering and technical employees on a 72-hour country-wide strike protesting the ``non-implementation of pay scales of subordinate engineering cadres recommended by the Prasar Bharati Board.'' Disruptions were reported from some low-power transmission TV centres and local services of AIR, especially in the North-East, due to the strike by the engineering staff.

Mob violence

AHMEDABAD: At least 12 personsincluding five policemen were injured in stone-pelting, while police fired seven rounds and burst 18 teargas shells to disperse a violent mob at Kalol town in Mehsana district yesterday. Police said a violent mob started throwing stones and bottles on a procession to celebrate the victory of a candidate in the by-election to a municipal ward.

Kesri trial

NEW DELHI: Former Congress president Sitaram Kesri today sought separation of trial in the criminal defamation case and a stay in the civil defamation suit filed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

New Speaker

JAIPUR: Congress leader Paras Ram Maderna was today unanimously elected Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly. The name of Maderna, leader of the Opposition in the previous Assembly, was proposed by Finance Minister Chandan Mal Baid.

K K Aboo dead

KOZHIKODE: Freedom fighter and senior Indian Union Muslim League leader K K Aboo died at his residence in Cheruvannur near here last night.