MONDAY 01 APRIL 2024 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC Twitter.com/thestatesman Facebook.com/thestatesman INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR HOW AMERICA HELPED CREATE A NARCO-STATE POPE OVERCOMES HEALTH CONCERNS P9 WEATHER Partly cloudy sky with possibility of rain or thundershower. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 36 °C and 26 °C respectively. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 93 % TEMPERATURE Max: 35.1°C (0) Min: 26.5°C (+3) SUN RISES SUN SETS 05:30 hrs 17:52 hrs MOON RISES MOON SETS 23:25 hrs 09:10 hrs New Moon on 08 April THUMBNAILS Tourist vehicles at the snow-covered Atal Tunnel after fresh snowfall in Rohtang on Sunday.  ANI Four dead in Jalpaiguri nor’wester: A Nor’wester suddenly hit a part of Jalpaiguri district this afternoon and claimed four lives. Several people were serious injured as many houses collapsed during a heavy cyclonic storm that lasted a few minutes at Maynaguri in Jalpaiguri.They were brought to Jalpaiguri Medical College hospital. Following instructions from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Siliguri Mayor Goutam Deb rushed to the hospital to help the victims who are undergoing treatment in hospital.He left for the spot this eve(Pg2) ning to take stock of the situation. SRINAGAR, 31 MARCH The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday recorded the statement of the Kashmiri family whose member was allegedly forced into the Russia-Ukraine war. “We have recorded the statements of the family members of Azad Yousuf Kumar, a local who was allegedly unwittingly thrust into the Russia-Ukraine conflict after being deceived,” CBI in a statement said. The agency recorded their statements recently after filing an FIR against 19 people and visa consultancy firms linked to the exploitation of the Indian youth. Azad's elder, Sajad said the families of 12 other affected Indian men have been contacted by the CBI and they emphasised their desire for the safe return of their loved P10 P12 ‘Central probe agencies Solidarity with Kejriwal, targeting TMC leaders’ Soren: INDIA bloc seeks their immediate release If you want to live well, remove BJP from the country and Bengal as well: CM KRISHNAGAR, 31 MARCH n her debut campaign rally for the Lok Sabha elections at Dhubulia Sporting Club Ground in Krishnagar, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee unleashed a fierce barrage against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of misusing central probe agencies, obstructing development funds meant for Bengal, targeting opposition parties, and pursuing a discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Addressing a fervent crowd of supporters, Miss Banerjee lambasted the BJP-led government, alleging, "The CBI, ED, NIA, IT are going after our workers and leaders." She highlighted instances of alleged harassment faced by party members, citing a case where 16 officers from the income tax department were at a party member's home for three days, depriving his family of basic amenities. Questioning the BJP's tactics, Miss Banerjee asked: "If BJP is so confident of winning the Lok Sabha polls, why are you using agencies? Why are the state officers being transferred?" She rallied her supporters with a call to action, I CBI records statement of Kashmiri family ‘forced’ into Russia-Ukraine war AGENCIES P7 BISWABRATA GOSWAMI Min. 49 % COLLINS TOPPLES RYBAKINA IN MIAMI WTA 1000 FINAL ‘MUKHTAR ANSARI’S HEART SHOWED YELLOW AREA’ ones. It must be mentioned that the CBI had on March 8 dismantled a human trafficking network funnelling Indian individuals into the war zone and identified key facilitators, including agents based in Russia. Family said that Azad, a 31-year-old engineering graduate from Pulwama, initially sought job opportunities in Dubai, but was misled by false promises, ultimately finding himself caught up in the war as a mercenary for the Russian army. The family also spoke of the perilous situation at the Ukraine border and said that they had asked the government to intervene for his safe return. As per the family, Azad left for Dubai on December 14 last year in search of a job after being lured by a YouTuber, Faisal Khan. But little did the young man know that he would be fighting a war. asserting: "If you want to live well, remove BJP from the country and Bengal as well." Miss Banerjee condemned the expulsion of Trinamul MP Mahua Moitra from Parliament, accusing the BJP of targeting her and her family through investigative agencies. "They expelled her from the Lok Sabha because she raised her voice against the BJP Miss ," Banerjee declared, holding up Ms Moitra's hand in solidarity. She said “As Mahua is contesting the election again, they are now harassing her parents by sending the ED and the CBI.” She then asked her supporters, “Will you make her win? Remember they expelled her even after you gave her the vote.” Expressing concern over the political landscape, Miss Banerjee criticised the arrests of fifteen Trinamul Congress "vote managers" by the NIA, while questioning the exemption of leaders from other parties. "The country is not in a good condition. Fifteen of our vote managers have been arrested by the NIA. The Gaddar babu of Contai (BJP leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari), why are my district presidents being served with notices?" Miss Banerjee asked during her speech. She further lamented the actions of what she termed as a "jumla government" at the Centre, pointing out that certain actions cannot be undertaken once elections are announced. "Why are Congress and CPI-M leaders being spared, though I don’t want anything to happen to them. They have kept Arvind (Kejriwal, the Delhi chief minister arrested in a liquor scam) behind bars, but could they stop his work?" she asked, highlighting what she perceives as selective targeting. Miss Banerjee expressed confidence in her party's resilience, advising party leaders and workers to respond to notices and summons after the election process. Miss Banerjee called for unity amongst anti-BJP forces in Bengal, accusing the Congress and the CPIM of indirectly aiding the BJP's electoral prospects. She urged voters to support Trinamul to uphold state-funded welfare schemes and ensure the continuation of benefits such as Kanyashree and Swasthya Sathi. Assuring minority communities, particularly the Matua community, Miss Banerjee pledged that no one would lose citizenship due to the implementation of the CAA. EASTER MOMENT Easter Rally 2024 organised by United Christians of Kolkata on the occasion of Easter in Kolkata on Sunday. Easter is celebrated to commemorate the resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ, which occurs days after His crucifixion on Good Friday.  BISWAJIT GHOSHAL SANTU DAS NEW DELHI, 31 MARCH Top leaders from the Opposition INDIA bloc on Sunday slammed the Narendra Modi-led government over a wide range of issues, including "misuse" of Central probe agencies, and vowed to contest the Lok Sabha elections together to oust the ruling BJP . At the "Save Democracy" mega rally organised by the Opposition bloc at the Ramlila Maidan here on Sunday in the wake of the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, on behalf of the Opposition, put forth five demands, including immediate release of Kejriwal and former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren. The other four demands include a level-playing field to be ensured by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in the Lok Sabha elections, cessation of action against the Opposition parties by investigative agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Income Tax (IT) Department with the aim of rigging the elections. Besides, the INDIA bloc demanded that "coercive" action to financially strangle Opposition parties during the elections should stop immediately and a Supreme Court (SC)-monitored Special InvestigationTeam (SIT) to be formed to investigate the funds raised by the BJP through electoral bonds. The rally, seen as show of strength by the Opposition ahead of the LS polls, was attended by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, CPP Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former party president Rahul Gandhi, Nationalist Congress PartySharadchandra Pawar (NCPSCP)president Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray, chief of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) Farooq Abdullah. Senior leader of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Senior Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Tejashwi Yadav and Trinamul Congress (TMC) MP Derek O'Brien were also present on the occasion. Among other prominent leaders were senior AAP leaders Gopal Rai, Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, Delhi Congress president Arvinder Singh Lovely, Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Delhi CM Kejriwal; and Kalpana Soren, wife of Hemant Soren. Addressing the mammoth gathering, Congress President Kharge said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not want democracy, his mindset is of dictatorship. One by one, he is finishing our institutions." He alleged that Opposition leaders are being intimidated by "misusing" Central probe agencies. Referring to the IT notices to Congress, he said: "Money was stolen from the party's accounts. Rs 3,567 crore penalty has been imposed (by the I-T) so that we cannot campaign in the elections." "We have to fight to save the democracy and the Constitution.You will secure Various methods like appointing the umpires of choice, buying out the players and intimidating the captains, same way Modi had appointed the Election Commissioners of his choice, was trying to pressurise the judiciary and had jailed Hemant Soren and Arvind Kejriwal, just ahead of the elections CONGRESS LEADER RAHUL GANDHI your rights only if there is a Constitution," he said. Echoing similar sentiments, Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of trying to win the general elections through "match-fixing". He alleged Narendra Modi wants to change the Constitution by winning elections through "match-fixing". Referring to the“Ab ki Baar,Chaar Sau Paar” slogan of the BJP aiming to win 400 seats in the upcoming LS polls, Gandhi said, "The entire NDA cannot reach even 180 seats without manipulating the ElectronicVoting Machines (EVMs) and other intimidating tactics." Drawing an analogy of "match-fixing", he said, "Various methods like appointing the umpires of choice, buying out the players and intimidating the captains, same way Modi had appointed the Election Commissioners of his choice, was trying to pressurise the judiciary and had jailed Hemant Soren and Arvind Kejriwal, just ahead of the elections. " TMC MP Derek O’Brien called it BJP Vs democracy. He coined a new slogan: “Modi guarantee, zero warranty” and demanded a “white paper from the government on the 2019 Pulwama attack. The TMC parliamentarian categorically said, “The TMC was, is, and will be part of the INDIA bloc.” Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren said, "Our leader, Hemant Soren, has never bowed down, nor will he ever do so in the future. We are the product of struggle. We are all one and will save the democracy by ousting the dictatorial BJP government." You can arrest Kejriwal, but how will you arrest his thought...Together we will teach a lesson to the BJP PUNJAB CM BHAGWANT MANN The arrest of Arvind Kejriwal & Hem- ant Soren is an attack on the democracy & Constitution of the S country NCP-SP PRESIDENT SHARAD PAWAR Prez visits Advani to confer Bharat Ratna; Modi ‘Startling & eye opening’: Modi attacks Cong for hails his contribution in shaping modern India ‘giving away’ Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 31 MARCH President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday conferred the Bharat Ratna on BJP stalwart and former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani. The President Murmu visited Mr Advani, who has not been keeping well, at his home in New Delhi to bestow upon him the nation's highest civilian honour. The formal ceremony was attended by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and the family members of the veteran politician. “Shri Advani, a doyen of Indian politics, has served the nation with unwavering President Droupadi Murmu confers Bharat Ratna upon veteran BJP leader LK Advani, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks on, at the latter's residence, in New Delhi on Sunday.  ANI dedication and distinction for over seven decades. Born in Karachi in 1927, he migrated to India in 1947 against the backdrop of par- tition. With his vision of cultural nationalism, he toiled hard for decades, across the length and breadth of the country, and brought about a transformation in the sociopolitical landscape. When the Emergency put India’s democracy at risk, the indefatigable crusader in him helped guard it against authoritarian tendencies,'' the Rashtrapati Bhavan later said in a post on microblogging site X. PM also later wrote on X: “It was very special to witness the conferring of the Bharat Ratna upon Shri LK Advani Ji. This honour is a recognition of his enduring contributions to our nation's progress. His dedication to public service and his pivotal role in shaping modern India have left an indelible mark on our history. I am proud to have got the opportunity to work with him very closely over the last several decades." NEW DELHI, 31 MARCH STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday attacked the Opposition Congress for allegedly giving away Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka during the tenure of the Indira Gandhi government in 1974. Citing a "startling" news report, Mr Modi accused the grand old party of "weakening India's unity and integrity" during its long years of rule. "Eye opening and startling! New facts reveal how Congress callously gave away #Katchatheevu. This has angered every Indian and reaffirmed in people's mindswe can't ever trust Congress! Weakening India's unity, CMYK integrity and interests has been Congress' way of working for 75 years and counting," PM Modi wrote in a social media post on 'X'. Katchatheevu is an uninhabited island between India's Rameshwaram and Sri Lanka, which has traditionally been used by fishermn of both countries. In 1974, during the Prime Ministership of Indira Gandhi, India and Sri Lanka signed the "Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime agreement" and New Delhi accepted Katchatheevu as Sri Lankan territory. The 1974 agreement formally stamped Sri Lanka's sovereignty over the island. Reacting to the Prime Minister’s comments, Congress leaders called them "selective pieces of propaganda" and asked what he was doing the last nine years. "The problem with the PM is that he makes statements without any references. If any agreement like this was made, we should know what it was. Secondly, what was the Prime Minister doing for 9 years then? If he was in a pos- session of this information, why was he quiet about it all this while? These are selective pieces of propaganda that they fake out.” “It is all because elections are going on in Tamil Nadu. All the surveys show the BJP will be badly smashed in Tamil Nadu," Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said. Prime Minister Modi's remarks came amid Congress party's recent take down of the central government over alleged Chinese incursion in Ladakh. Sharing a speech of Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate yesterday accused the Modi government of hiding China's occupation of Indian land in the Union Territory.