New Delhi - At least four people were killed by a car-bomb in India's north-eastern state of Assam Monday, news reports said.

More than 20 people were wounded in the explosion that occurred in the crowded market area in the Maligaon suburb of state capital Guwahati, the NDTV network reported.

Several cars and shops caught fire following the bombing and fire tenders were rushed to the area to douse the blaze, the report said.

Authorities said they suspected Assam's biggest separatist outfit, United Liberation Front of Asom.

New Delhi, Apr. 6 : Ambassador A. Peter Burleigh today assumed duties as the Charge d'Affaires of the U. S. Mission in India.

Ambassador Burleigh's interim appointment by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton reflects the U. S. Government's emphasis on assuring highest-level representation and continuity in U. S. Indian relations.

New Delhi, Apr 6: Vice President M. Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh have greeted the nation on the auspicious occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, which will be celebrated tomorrow.

In his message, the Vice President said that the teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir are relevant at all times to emancipate mankind from suffering and to ensure peace and happiness through spiritual excellence

He called upon the people to imbibe the enlightened teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir to usher in peaceful and harmonious society.

New Delhi, Apr. 6: An auto lifter, who stole over thousand vehicles in the past 20 years, has been arrested in connection with TV news producer Soumya Vishwanathan’s murder case.

“Ajay Sethi was arrested by a special team of Delhi Police from Faridabad-Badarpur border on Sunday night and the car used in the crime was recovered,” said H G S Dhaliwal, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South).

Sethi was absconding since last month after the arrest of four persons in connection with the murders of Vishwanathan and IT executive Jigisha Ghosh.

Going by a Department of Telecommunications (DoT) directive, as many as 250 lakh mobile subscribers, who use handsets that are without the valid IMEI - International Mobile Equipment Identity - number, face the likelihood of disconnection of services from April 15, the extended deadline after the earlier set December 31, 2008 cut-off date!

In accordance with the DoT instructions, GSM service providers - including Airtel and Vodafone - are all set to deny connectivity to mobile phones which do not have the essential IMEI number, which is 15-digit code appearing on the operator's network when a call is made.

New Delhi, Apr 6 : Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari today left on a three-day visit to Kuwait.

During his visit, Ansari will hold talks with the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al Jaber Al Sabah on a wide range of issues. Welfare of Indian community in Kuwait and fostering greater economic partnership will figure prominently in the talks.

Besides, strengthening cooperation in the energy sector will be focus of his discussions with Kuwaiti leaders.

The Vice President will also address the captains of industry.