MUMBAI: THE banking sector almost came to a standstill today as bank branches remained closed throughout the country following a one-day strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) representing 13 workmen and officers staff unions, crippling economic activities. Almost all major banks could not conduct routine business as majority of staff joined the stir. Lucknow arrestsLUCKNOW: The district administration today arrested 63 persons, including a senior Congress leader, to prevent any breach of peace in two police station areas following a call given by Shia leaders to take out a symbolic azadari procession in the curfew-bound old city areas.Bangla bandhCALCUTTA: The 24-hour `Bangla bandh' called by the Congress to protest against alleged financial irregularities by the Left Front Government began amidst tight security today. Stray incidents of violence including a case of police firing were reported in the State. Police fired two rounds to ward off an attack by bandh supporters near the Birla jute mill at Birlapur in South 24 Parganas. Lakhubhai caseNEW DELHI: The CBI on Friday requested the trial court here to depute a commission to examine four witnesses abroad in the $1 lakh Lakhubhai Pathak cheating case. CBI counsel, A K Dutt, moved an application to this effect in the court of special judge, Ajit Bharihoke who fixed July 28, for reply by the defence on the agency's plea.Mamata ireCALCUTTA: Congress leader, Mamata Banerjee, who filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the alleged financial irregularities by the ruling front, today claimed that her telephone was being bugged. Banerjee said she had already written a letter to the chief general manager of the Calcutta telephones complaining about phone tapping.
