GANGTOK, July 28: Sikkim's deputy Chief Minister P T Lucksom has criticised the State government for siphoning off funds meant for the development of the State. In a press release issued here, he said, the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front Government was ``misleading the people.''

Lucksom cautioned them to steer away from anti-social elements who were ``indulging in caste-based politics to divide the three ethnic people of Sikkim,'' the release said. Lucksom was divested from the post of the party's vice-president and the executive committee on Tuesday last by party president and Chief Minister Pawan Chamling. Chamling also recommended the removal of his deputy from his Cabinet to the Governor. The Governor's nod is still awaited.

More pilgrims leave for Amarnath

JAMMU: As many as 2,046 pilgrims today left Jammu for Pahalgam, the base camp of holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir's Himalayas, while nearly 10,000 devotees have so far performed prayers at ice `Lingam' of Lord Shiva in Amarnath cave. Police control room sources said that 2,046 yatries in 104 vehicles left for Pahalgam from here.

Awards for essays on Gandhiji

NEW DELHI: Sixteen school children from all over the country, including nine from Kendriya Vidyalayas, have won awards for their essays on ``What Gandhi means to me'' organised to coincide with the golden jubilee of Indian independence. The competition by the New Book Society of India was organised on the lines as the one organised last year among school children in Germany. Over 500 school children took part in the competition. The first prize is all expenses paid trip all over India with German school children, in addition to Rs 1,100 in cash.

Sandalwood worth Rs 7 lakh seizedDHARMAPURI: Sandalwood worth Rs seven lakh were seized from the tribals at the Harur reserve forest near here yesterday and two tribals have been arrested. P L Ananthasamy, conservator of forests, Salem, told newsmen here that the two tribals were collecting 1,750 kgs of sandalwood when they were arrested by the forest police.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.