New Delhi, July 3: Sri Lanka thrashed India by 161 runs in their Celkon Mobile Cup one-day international on Tuesday, as Upul Tharanga smashed an unbeaten 174 off 159 balls and shared a huge opening stand with Mahela Jayawardene.

Tharanga blasted 19 fours and three sixes and scored at better than a run-a-ball in a career-best performance that spurred Sri Lanka to a formidable 348-1 off their 50 overs at Sabina Park.

The openers put on 213 runs for the first wicket, with veteran Jayawardene making 107, striking nine fours and two sixes off 112 balls. The giant opening stand came after Sri Lanka was sent in to bat by stand-in India captain Virat Kohli, who replaced the injured Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

India faltered badly in pursuit to be bowled out for 187 off 44.5 overs.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja top-scored for India with 49 not out but Sri Lanka spinners Rangana Herath (3-37) and Sachithra Senanayake (2-46) kept a tight grip on the India, the recent ICC Champions Trophy winners. Fast bowler Lasith Malinga also grabbed 2-40.

Tharanga became the ninth Sri Lankan to pass 5,000 runs in one-dayers when he reached 21.

Sri Lanka's opening pair was restrained in adding 47 in the first ten overs, benefiting from some scrappy India fielding. Murali Vijay grassed a chance from Jayawardene when he was on 25 in the 13th over.

Jayawardene made the Indians pay dearly and got to three figures before Tharanga. It was the 16th one-day century for the 36-year-old former skipper.

He fell soon afterwards to the same reverse sweep that should have caused his downfall earlier. This time the chance was snapped up by Umesh Yadav off Ravichandran Ashwin.

But his dismissal only spurred the flow of runs as Tharanga and Angelo Mathews shared a rapid, unbeaten stand of 133 off just 68 balls.

Tharanga, dropped on 91 at deep point by Yadav off Ishant Sharma, reached his 13th one-day century off 124 balls and blasted 74 runs off his next 35 balls to further deflate the Indians.

Sri Lanka skipper Mathews contributed an efficient, undefeated 44 off 39 balls with four fours and one six.

India, needing to score at a run rate of close to seven per over, never managed to create any momentum in their chase.

Seamer Nuwan Kulasekara made an early breakthrough when Rohit Sharma (5) drove straight to short mid-on at 12-1.

Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay tried to repair the damage but their second wicket stand of 40 occupied ten overs and the required run rate quickly escalated.

Dhawan compiled a conservative 24 before he holed out to deep midwicket off Herath as he tried to break the shackles.

Sri Lanka skipper Mathews chipped in with the cheap wicket of his opposite number, Kohli (4), who hooked to fine leg where Malinga pouched a good, low catch.

Malinga soon made another impact when he struck in his first over, yorking Vijay (30) at 65-4 in the 19th over.

Dinesh Karthik and Suresh Raina shared a fourth wicket stand of 56 but showed little urgency as Sri Lanka tightened their grip. Herath eventually claimed Karthik for 22, beating him in the flight and having him stumped.

Raina, after scoring a run-a-ball 33, was run out going for a third run.

By then, the contest was effectively over and even though Jadeja helped himself to some batting practice, India could not even reach their secondary target of 279 to stop Sri Lanka securing a bonus point.

The result leaves India without a point in their first two matches of the series, while West Indies (nine points from two) and Sri Lanka (five points from two) lead the standings heading to Trinidad for the second leg of the tournament.

Mumbai, July 3: The BSE benchmark Sensex on Wednesday fell over 211 points in early trade extending losses for the second straight session, due to sustained selling by funds amid a weak trend in other Asian markets.

The 30-share barometer fell by 211.64 points, or 1.09 per cent, to 19,252.18 with all the sectoral indices led by realty and metal, trading in negative zone with losses up to 2.31 per cent.

The index had lost 113.57 points on Tuesday.

The wide-based National Stock Exchange index, Nifty slipped below the 5,800 level by falling 60.60 points, or 1.03 per cent to, 5,796.95.

Brokers said sustained selling by funds amid a weakening rupee and subdued trend in the Asian region, mainly dampened the trading sentiment here.

In the Asian region, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index traded lower by 2.05 per cent, while Japan's Nikkei Index fell 0.06 per cent, in early trade.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.28 per cent lower in Tuesday’s trade.

New Delhi, July 3: The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed concern over the sale of adulterated milk in the country, saying it is a serious issue and action needs to be taken by the state governments to curb it.

"It is a very serious issue. There is no doubt that it is happening all over the country. What action is being taken by the government?" a bench of justices K S Radhakrishnan and Pinaki Chandra Ghose asked.

The bench directed the governments of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi to file their response stating what action they are taking to put an end to the menace of milk adulteration, after the Centre submitted that it is for the state governments to take action on the issue.

The court said that it would later on expand the ambit of the PIL to include all the states in the country on the issue.

The bench posted the matter for hearing on 31st July and made it clear that no further time will be given to the states to file their submissions.

The court also observed that the adulteration is because of gaps in demand and supply of milk.

It was hearing a PIL filed by a group of citizens, led by Swami Achyutanand Tirth of Uttarakhand, who have alleged that synthetic and adulterated milk and milk products are prepared using urea, detergent, refined oil, caustic soda and white paint, which, according to studies, are "very hazardous" to human life and can cause diseases like cancer.

Apart from a check on the sale of synthetic and adulterated milk and various dairy products, the PIL has also sought framing of a "comprehensive" policy on the production, supply and sale of healthy, hygienic and natural milk.

On 21st October, last year, the Centre had informed the apex court that over 68 percent of milk in the country does not conform to the standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The Centre, in its submission, had referred to a survey conducted by FSSAI, which had found that over 68 percent of the "non-conforming" milk was found in urban areas, 66 percent of which was loose milk.

According to the FSSAI's 2011 survey, the most common way of adulteration was found to be the addition of water, and the main reason for deviation from the standards was addition of glucose and skimmed milk powder.

It had also found that some samples contained detergent. The Centre's affidavit had also stated that over 83 per cent of the non-conforming milk in rural areas was found to be loose milk.

The affidavit was filed in response to the notice issued by the apex court on 9th May, 2012.

Ranchi, July 3: A Superintendent of Police along with his driver and three security guards was killed in a Maoist attack in Jharkhand's Pakur district on Tuesday.

Pakur SP Amarjit Balihar, a 2003 batch IPS officer, his driver and the guards were ambushed by the Naxals when they were returning to Pakur, after attending a meeting in Dumka, a senior official said.

The incident took place near the forests of Amrapa, nearly 400 km from capital Ranchi.

The extremists exploded bombs and opened fire on the police vehicles.

Two other policemen who were injured have been admitted to hospital, Dumka Deputy Commissioner Harsh Mangala said.

The senior officer had been targeted by extremists in the past due to his tough stand against the Maoists in Pakur, which has their strong presence.

He is the second SP to fall to the rebels' bullets in the region.

On October 4, 2000, the ultras of the People's War, now merged with CPI (Maoist), had killed Lohardaga SP Ajay Kumar Singh in undivided Bihar. Lohardaga later became part of Jharkhand.

At least 200 central paramilitary personnel have been rushed to the spot to nab the extremists who were involved in the attack.

IMPHAL, July 2: The Royal Council of the Sana Konung has cried foul post the deliberation at Manipur Legislative Assembly regarding the acquisition of Royal Palace under the Historical Monument Act yesterday between opposition leader I Ibohanbi and the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi on the floor of the House.

Addressing a press meet in this regard today at the Palace, Puyam Tomcha, legal advisor to the Royal Council said that the statement of the CM is surprising. He said that the State government has no legal rights to infringe on the Sana Konung despite the provision given under the Act. He also mentioned that any architect cannot restore the Sana Konung and the same calls for an expert who is well acquainted with the historical aspects of the Palace.

He further mentioned that many festivals are held in the state and certain projects are implemented for bringing about development and questioned why has the state government suddenly decided to act now for restoring the palace while keeping quiet about this issue in the past. He also mentioned the palace of Tripura was annexed by the respective government but due to the fact that the Tripuris had become a minority. He questioned whether the Manipuri government has viewed the state populace in a similar manner. Under the Manipur Town and Country Planning Act, 1975 section 29, Kangla Fort which was a protected area has also been announced as a ‘Scheme Area’ in January 16, 2004. The Kangla Fort Board which was instituted is also questionable as under which Act it was promulgated, he said and added that it cannot be set up under the Manipur Town and Country Planning Act.  

He mentioned that  the then Deputy Commissioner in 1991 had approached the Royal Palace to declare the Kangla as his rightful claim, but then it was decided that the Kangla Fort would be in better hands  with the Government.

IMPHAL, July 2: In view of the assurance given to Manipur Transporter &Drivers Forum to fulfill their charter of demands and appeal to the forum by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, the forum has decided to call off its steering down strike with immediate effect during a meeting between the Deputy Chief Minister and Y Bhupenchandra Ghosh, president, Manipur Transporter & Drivers Forum alongwith other representative of the forum held at Deputy Chief Minister office chamber around 4:30 pm.

The decision of the drivers’ forum was announced today by Deputy CM Gaikhangam during a press conference at his office chamber this evening.

He further said that during the meeting, it was decided that the government will take proper action on the demands including not to establish police check-post along the highways close to each other; to check police disturbance on the drivers along the highways and to check the collection of money in the name of tax; check tax collection by SoO signatories along the highway from the drivers and to take up speedy steps for the establishment of National Highway Protection Force.

He further elaborated that the government will further look into the issue of payment of compensation to the owners of 10 trucks which were left out from 39 of which were destroyed during blockade related violence till 2011.

The government will also look into the remaining demands of the forum, he said.

Regarding the establishment of a Highway Protection Force, he said that the government is also concerned about it and has also urged the central government requesting to provide two battalions of IRB.

He said, the state government will again pressurize the central government on the issue.

He further congratulated the police department for arresting the culprit  in the alleged killing of auto driver (L) Y Deben.

The government and police department have to take up drastic steps to bring justice, he said.

Declaring that rape cases have increased drastically in the state, he said, the government has no sympathy for such criminals and will certainly punish all those who commit such heinous crimes.

Meanwhile, speaking to the media person at the Manipur Press Club Bhupendra Gosh, president of the transporter and drivers forum said that the forum has called off the agitation following assurance on their demands which include setting up a High protection force along both the national Highways of the state, compensations for the remain 10 vehicles out of 37 vehicles which was damage in the both national highways and a job for the wife of the Driver Babu who was killed by unknown persons on 17th April along the national highway number 37 Imphal -Jiri road 

KANGPOKPI, July 2: State Works Minister Dr Ratan Kumar and Kpi AC MLA Nemcha Kipgen today inspected a few roads for black topping under Kangpokpi AC.

The minister and his team inspected a road connecting Kangpokpi Christian Hospital from NH-2 which is about 4 Km.from Kangpokpi town for black topping.

"This road is very important since it has been used to transport patients for treatment at KCH and it really mean for the general public of not only Kangpokpi but its surrounding areas", said MLA Nemcha adding that the road is at present in a pathetic condition therefore it is highly needed to black top it in the interest of general public.

The Minister said that the widening of this road connecting KCH is the responsibility of the local MLA and the general public.

They also inspected Kangpokpi to Haijang road which is about 4 km in length where an RCC bridge is the need for the public in general and the Haijang villagers in particular.

Mentioned may be made that, Imphal River which flows south of the Kangpokpi bisect Kangpokpi and Haijang Road where an RCC Bridge is highly needed to be constructed for smooth movement of passerby and vehicles during monsoon season.

MLA Nemcha said that, Haijang village has existed for more than 50 years but as far as development is concerned, the Haijang –Kangpokpi road which is the only connecting road to the outside world for the denizens of Haijang village and the bridge remain has been in the present status for more than 50 years now with no signs of changing, adding that they cannot but continue to live under the mercy of the weather which is normally not merciful.

She also expressed hope that the Work Minister considering the hardships faced by the denizens of Haijang village in particulars and the surrounding areas in general will do the best at the earliest.

The inspecting team also went to inspect Tumnoupokpi to Liyai Kalapahar Kongpao road and Kharkhola to Chandraman road as well as Parsian road for black topping.

Unfortunately, while the team was on the way to inspect the road connecting Parsian village from NH-2, it came across some unwanted elements moving in the area.

The front liner security party of the entourage opened blank fire as preventive measures.

Subsequently, the unwanted element group ran away from the spot and the inspecting team returned to Imphal.

There is no report of any casualty from the incident.

MLA Nemcha while speaking to the media persons who were apart of the inspection tour said, it is very unfortunate that due to some unwanted element the security party was compelled to blank fire which panicked everyone.

She urged every individual to cooperate in the course of development programme under way in the constituency in public interest.