FRIDAY 12 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 ‘GOVT COMMITTED TO N-E REGION’S DEVELOPMENT’ ‘I LOVE INDIA MORE’ P6 WEATHER Generally cloudy sky with rain or thundershower very likely to occur. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 33 °C and 25 °C respectively. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 84 % TEMPERATURE IN-FORM LSG TO FACE STRUGGLING CAPITALS NDA ALLY TDP PROMISES CASTE CENSUS P10 P4 No CAA, NRC or UCC in Bengal, vows CM P12 FESTIVE SPIRIT Mamata alleges BJP and allies trying to divide the country STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 11 APRIL Min. 47% Max: 34.6°C (-1) Min: 25.6°C (0) SUN RISES SUN SETS 05:20 hrs 17:55 hrs MOON RISES MOON SETS 07:1 hrs 20:52 hrs Full Moon on 24 April THUMBNAILS People of rural Bengal celebrating Gajan in Katwa district of West Bengal on Thursday.  DEBROOP BANERJEE Asian Development Bank upgrades India’s GDP growth forecast for FY25 to 7pc: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) upgraded India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for Financial Year 202425 to 7per cent from its earlier projection of 6.7per cent. ADB citied robust public and private investments and strong servic(Pg 8) es sector for the revised number. Mumbai Indians thrash RCB: Mumbai Indians defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru by seven wickets in IPL 2024 match at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. RCB managed to reach 196 for 8 despite Jasprit Bumrah's five-wicket haul, with Faf du Plessis making 61 off 40 balls, Rajat Patidar 50 off 26 and Dinesh Karthik 53 off 23. Chasing the target, Ishan Kishan blasted a 34-ball 69, while Suryakumar Yadav scored a 19-ball 52 as Mumbai Indians overwhelmed the target in 15.3 overs hief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday that there will be no CAA, NRC or Uniform Civil Code in Bengal as these measures are intended to divide the country. She was addressing a gathering after Eid prayers on Red Road this morning. She was accompanied by Abhishek Banerjee, Trinamul Congress MP and national general secretary of the party. The Eid prayer was organised by the Khilafat Committee. "When elections come they talk about CAA, NRC and Uniform Civil Code just to scare people. They want to create fear psychosis among people. Do not get scared. Rest assured there will not be CAA, NRC or Uniform Civil Code in Bengal," Miss Banerjee said. She said an attempt is on to divide the country. “We believe in harmony of religions. Here in Bengal people from different religions live happily and peacefully. We observe different religious festivals.” She urged people to maintain calm and not to fall into the trap. “They are conspiring to create trouble in Bengal and disturb our communal peace and harmony. If were stay together no one can divide us," she said, adding: “They are calling up Muslim leaders and asked about their requirement. They have money power and want to buy everything.” C Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee speaks with devotees on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, at Red Road on Thursday.  SNS Coming down heavily on the BJP-led Central government, she said: “They are putting everyone behind the bars and sending ED, CBI and Income Tax (officials). I request them to set up a jail where the entire country can be sent. But they cannot scare us by sending the agencies. We fight like Royal Bengal tigers and know how to fight against them." Miss Banerjee said to get the support of the people one should love them and not oppress them. “If we are not Indian nationals then how could people have elected the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, MPs, MLAs and councillors? They give hate speeches and their sole purpose is to divide the society and reap benefits out of this division,” she said. Criticising the BJP she said: “Before 2021 Assembly election they had said they would get 200 seats in Ben- gal and finally ended with 77 seats. They are now talking big and said they would get 400 seats. I say first get 200 seats. They believe in julma and nothing else." Miss Banerjee criticized the courts and said: “It is unfortunate that our leaders are not getting bail but the BJP leaders are getting bail from the court. We expect impartiality from the court." Miss Banerjee urged people to ensure that all their votes go to Trinamul Congress. "We are a part of INDIA alliance, but here in Bengal we are fighting alone. Do not waste your vote." Addressing the gathering Mr Abhishek Banerjee said “Hindusthan is no one's property. We all live here and a Hindu and a Muslim drink the same water. They are letting loose one brother against the other. The gloomy weather should change and there will be bright sunshine." Children at the Jama Masjid after Namaz on Eid-ul-Fitr in the Capital on Thursday.SUBRATA DUTTA CBI arrests K Kavitha in liquor scam STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 11 APRIL BRS leader K Kavitha has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation on Thursday in connection with a corruption case related to the Delhi liquor policy scam, sources said. Ms Kavitha, who is at present lodged in Tihar jail under judicial custody, was earlier arrested by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in a money laundering case linked to the excise policy scam. Earlier, the CBI had moved an application before a Delhi court asking for permis- sion to arrest the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader on Wednesday. The arrest by the CBI came days after the agency had questioned Ms Kavitha inside Tihar jail. She was quizzed by the CBI on Saturday after the agency obtained permission for it from a special court. It is likely that the central probe agency may produce her before a court and seek remand. On Monday, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court rejected Ms Kavitha’s plea seeking interim bail in the money laundering case. The BRS leader, who was arrested by the ED on March 15 after an extensive raid at her Banjara Hills residence in Hyderabad, is accused of paying Rs 100 crore to the Aam Aadmi Party in exchange for liquor licenses in the national capital. Meanwhile, Ms PM remarks: China bats for ‘strong and stable’ ties ECI to issue notification for PM extends Eid greeting to Maldives Prez 3rd phase of LS polls today AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 11 APRIL Beijing onThursday said“sound and stable ties” serve the common interest of both countries, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an interview, said that the “prolonged situation” at the border between the two countries should be addressed urgently. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in Beijing: “China ha noted Prime Minister Modi’s remarks... Sound and stable China-India relations serve the interests of both countries and are conducive to peace and development in the region and beyond. Ms Mao said the IndiaChina border dispute does not “represent the entirety of China-India relations, and it should be placed appropriately in bilateral relations and managed properly”. “We hope that STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 11 APRIL India will work with China, approach the bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, keep building trust and engage in dialogue and cooperation, and seek to handle differences appropriately to put the relationship on a sound and stable track,” she said. In an interview with Newsweek magazine, Mr Modi had expressed hope that through positive and constructive bilateral engagement at the diplomatic and military levels, India and China will be able Amidst strain in bilateral ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended greetings to Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu and the people of the island on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr. In his message, he noted that the cultural and civilisational linkages shared by India and Maldives go back in time. The PM's message was shared by the Indian High Commission in Maldives on social media platform X. "On the auspicious occasion of Eid-Al-Fitr, Hon'ble Prime Minister of India @NarendraModi extended warm greetings to His Excellency President of Maldives Dr @MMuizzu, the Government & the people of the Republic of Maldives," the message said. to restore and sustain peace at their borders. He also said China's relationship with India were “important and significant”. The PM said: "It is my belief that we need to urgently address the prolonged situation on our borders so that the abnormality in our bilateral interactions can be put behind us. Stable and peaceful relations between India and China are important for not just our two countries but the entire region and world.” China's state-run media termed the PM’s remarks as a “gesture of goodwill”, as the two nations continue to hold talks to resolve the border crisis. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 11 APRIL The notification for the third phase of voting in the Lok Sabha elections will be issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday. The filing of nominations for the third phase of polling will begin with the issue of the notification. “Nominations for the third Phase of General Elections 2024 will begin tomorrow. The Gazette notification for 94 Parliamentary Constituencies (PCs) across 12 States/UTs going for polls in the General Elections to Lok Sabha 2024 will be issued tomorrow,” the ECI said in a communiqué. The poll panel also informed that separate noti- Actress and BJP Mandi candidate, Kangana Ranaut, poses for a selfie with a supporter during an election campaign in Kullu on Thursday.  ANI fication for the adjourned poll in Betul PC of Madhya Pradesh will also be issued on Friday. Election for Betul parliamentary seat which was to be held in the second phase was adjourned due to the death of a contesting candidate of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). “The polling in these 94 PCs along with an adjourned poll in Betul seat will take place on 7th May,” it said. The States/UTs included in the third phase are Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. According to the ECI, the last date of filing nominations is 19 April. The date for scrutiny of nominations is 20 April. The Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases between 19 April and 1 June. The results will be declared on 4 June. Kavitha’s regular bail application is also pending before the court and the matter will be heard on 20 April 20. Earlier, when she was produced before a court in connection with the ED case, the leader called the case “illogical” and “completely based on statements”. “My arrest is illegal. This case is aimed at targeting opposition parties. It is an illogical case which is based on mere statements,” she told reporters as she was taken away from the court after the hearing on Tuesday, while her custody was extended upto 23 April. Lindy Cameron new British envoy to India STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 11 APRIL Ms Lindy Cameron has been appointed British High Commissioner to India. She succeeds incumbent Alex Ellis. "Lindy Cameron CB OBE has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of India in succession to Alex Ellis CMG who will be transferring to another diplomatic service appointment," a press release from the United Kingdom High Commission said on Thursday. Ms Cameron has been serving as the Chief Executive of the UK's National Cyber Security Centre since 2020. She will take up her appointment during April 2024, the release added. ‘Have we taken control of courts...agencies doing their job’: Pegasus-like attacks:Apple warns Rajnath on Opp allegations over arrest of Kejriwal, Soren users in 91 nations, including India AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 11 APRIL With INDIA bloc parties stepping up their attack on the government over alleged misuse of Central probe agencies after the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said that the Opposition is trying to mislead people and "if someone thinks they can get away with such remarks, this is not possible". In an interview with ANI news agency, Rajnath Singh said the opposition parties were trying to cover up their own “mistakes and weaknesses”. He also rejected Congress allegations of BJP's "washing machine" making leaders who join it from other parties "clean" of the cases faced by them earlier. Answering a query related to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Rajnath Singh asked why he has not got relief from the courts. "Even if it is assumed that he went to jail because of us, why is he not getting relief? Have we taken control of the courts also? What are these people trying to say? Let them have the audacity to say we have captured courts also...is it possible?" he asked. Asked about the allegations of opposition parties including the Aam Aadmi Party and Trinamul Congress, Rajnath Singh said the probe agencies including the Enforcement Directorate and CBI and also Income Tax were doing their job. “India has to be made corruption-free, this is the resolve of our Prime Minister. If they (opposition parties) feel that they have been framed, their leaders are in jail on baseless allegations, they can get protection from courts. If Sanjay Singh (AAP leader) can get bail, why other (party leaders) have not been able to get similar relief," he asked. “It seems they don't have faith in courts. If there is a verdict against in courts, we will accept it," he said. Apart from Kejriwal, some other AAP leaders including former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia are in jail in the Delhi excise policy case. Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha is also in jail in the same case. Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in January in a money laundering case. "There is no washing machine, agencies have to do their work and they will do so. Are we telling agencies to arrest a specific person, these are baseless allegations. They are trying to cover up their mistakes, weaknesses, are trying to mislead the people and if they think that by misleading they can get away from allegations of corruption, they are mistaken," he said. Answering a query on several Congress leaders joining the BJP he said they feel Con, gress is not fulfilling the objectives for which it was created and is a "family party". "Family is running the party, that is why Congress is getting into this bad situation," he said. Rajnath Singh said there should be healthy democracy in the country and there should be people to fulfil the responsibility. CMYK AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 11 APRIL iPhone maker Apple has issued a series of fresh notifications to users in 91 other countries, including India, cautioning them of 'mercenary spyware' including Pegasus malware that has stirred up significant controversy in recent times. These new alerts, also received by users in India, are part of cautionary measures warning owners about potential risks to their privacy and data security. In October 2023, Apple had sent a similar notification to political leaders across various parties in the country, including Congress's Shashi Tharoor, Aam Aadmi Party's Raghav Chadha, and Trinamul Congress' Mahua Moitra. The alert warned of a "potential state-sponsored spyware attack" targeting their iPhones. In 2021, the Supreme Court had formed a committee of technical experts to look into allegations of unauthorised surveillance using the Pegasus software developed by Israeli firm NSO Group. In August 2022, the Supreme Court-appointed committee concluded that the spyware was not found in the 29 mobile phones examined by it, but malware was found in five mobile phones. Apple noted that according to public reporting and research by civil society organisations, technology firms and journalists, individually targeted attacks of such exceptional cost and complexity have historically been associated with state actors, including private companies developing mercenary spyware on their behalf, such as Pegasus from the NSO Group. It said, though deployed against a very small number of individuals~ often journalists, activists, politicians and diplomats ~mercenary spyware attacks are ongoing and global.