Efforts on to free 17 Indians

New Delhi, July 4: India on Friday said it is making efforts to secure early release of 17 Indians, who were captured by Iran along with four Saudi fishing boats in the Persian Gulf waters.

"We are in touch with the Iranian authorities. We want to get them as early as possible," foreign secretary Shivshankar Menon told journalists here when asked about the capture.

Iran seized the Saudi Arabian boats which had 17 Indian nationals on board two days back. —PTI

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Priest plans temple for Vasundhara

By Our Correspondent

Jaipur

July 4: If things go as planned for Jodhpur-based priest Hemant Bohra, there will soon be a temple for Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje at Keru village under Jodhpur district. "It will be a temple in South Indian style, with an idol of ‘goddess’ Vasundhara Raje in aashirvad mudra," says Mr Bohra.

Speaking from Jodhpur over the phone, Mr Bohra said the temple will be built on his land and the foundation stone will be laid on July 16.

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JD(U) MP kin held in liquor raid

Chapra, July 4: Excise officials on Friday busted a unit manufacturing illegal liquor, allegedly run by the relatives of a JD(U) MP and recovered large quantities of illicit spirit from the factory in Saran district.

Mr Mandal said a team led by Excise Commissioner N. Vijayalaxmi raided the unit run by Mr Rajkamal Singh, JD(U) leader Mr Prabhunath Singh’s son-in-law and his brother Mr Pankaj Singh near Methwalia village on Chapra-Siwan road on Thursday night. —PTI

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DG seeks cleanup of Gomti

Lucknow, July 4: Uttar Pradesh’s director general of police Vikram Singh has asked police officials and staff posted in the state capital to voluntarily contribute in cleaning the river Gomti.

In a letter sent to all police officials on Thursday, Mr Singh asked them to apprise their respective staff of the pollution in the Gomti and encourage them to give "shramdaan" for clearing the river.

He has asked them to contribute towards this noble cause from Saturday from "Shaheed Smarak".

—PTI