FRIDAY 19 JULY 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 MUZAFFARNAGAR EATERIES ROW: OPPN QUESTIONS INTENTION ‘MODI GOVT JEOPARDISED RAIL SAFETY’ P5 SENSEX 81,343.46626.91 WEATHER GENERALLY CLOUDY SKY. LIGHT RAIN/ THUNDERSTORM. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 37 AND 29 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: 004.3 mm RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 94 % TEMPERATURE P6 ` vs $ 83.64 GOLD 76,280.00 P12 SILVER 94,700 PM chairs key security meet on Jammu terrorist attacks Centre is believed to be working on a coordinated strategy to counter menace of terrorism Min. 63 % Max: 37.0 °C (+2) SUN RISES 05:36 hrs MOON RISES 17:50 hrs P10 NIFTY 24,800.85187.85 INDIA START AS FAVOURITES AGAINST PAKISTAN NATO DILEMMA BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 82.160.20 Apex court asks NTA to publish NEET-UG result of all students AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 18 JULY Min: 29.6 °C (+2) SUN SETS 19:19 hrs MOON SETS 03:56 hrs THUMBNAILS Youngsters cover themselves with a cloth after heavy rain lashes different parts of the city, at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on Thursday.  ANI Maharashtra police kill 12 Maoists in Gadchiroli: Dealing a crippling blow to the armed Maoist movement ahead of the Maoist Week, the Gadchiroli Police gunned down 12 insurgents including five women rebels, in the jungles near Wandoli Village on the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border, top officials said. The deep forest encounter in pouring rain led to the recovery of a cache of arms and ammunition, eliminating three top-rung functionaries and has practically cleansed north Gadchiroli of armed Maoist activities, said a beaming SP Neelotpal on (P5) Thursday afternoon. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 18 JULY P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired a key meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in the wake of the recent spurt in terrorist attacks in the Jammu region, leading to the deaths of several military personnel. The Centre is believed to be working on a coordinated strategy to counter the menace of terrorism and to ensure that it does not hamper the pace of development activities initiated to bolster the region’s economy. Thursday’s meeting was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah. The members of the CCS include Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The recent incidents of terrorist attacks have led to at least 27 deaths. In Doda region in the past four days, there have been three encounters in which four Army personnel were killed. The Army has been conducting combing operations in the forests where the terrorists have retreated after indulging in sudden violence. The Central government has taken note that the renewed terrorist attacks have come after the relative peace of recent months. The Centre has been following a policy of zero tolerance of terrorist violence. The Defence and Home Ministries are likely to strengthen the mecha- nism to minimize scope for infiltration from across the border. The government will not restrain itself from taking innovative steps to eliminate the terrorist activity. The current terrorist violence is being seen as an attempt of anti-national forces to divert attention from development work and creation of employment opportunities. A month back, the Home Minister had reviewed the security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir at a high-level meeting attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha and senior representatives of the Army and State Police. The security agencies were directed to replicate the successes achieved against terrorism in the Kashmir Valley through Area Domination Plan and Zero Terror Plan in the Jammu division. The government steps had led to significant reduction in terror related incidents in the Kashmir Valley. The improved law-and-order situation was reflected in record flow of tourists to the Valley and the Lok Sabha elections saw record turnout in Jammu and Kashmir. The Prime Minister paid a two-day visit to Srinagar on the occasion of the 10th International Day of Yoga (IYD) (21 June) and took part in the ‘Empowering Youth, Transforming J&K’ event to support the local youth towards new livelihood opportunities. Mr Modi laid foundation stones of a number of development projects also. Soldiers injured in attack, two terrorists killed along LoC STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, 18 JULY At least two Army soldiers were injured, one of them critically, on Thursday when terrorists attacked a temporary security camp that has been established in the Katisgarh area of Doda district following the recent killing of four soldiers in an ambush. In a separate incident, two heavily armed Pakistani terrorists were killed along the Line of Control (LOC) in the Keran Sector of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district as the Indian Army foiled an infiltration bid. Officials said the attack at the security forces’ camp in Doda came during the wee hours at about 2 am. This was followed by a brief exchange of fire but the terrorists managed to escape. The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the National Testing Agency (NTA) to publish on its website the marks obtained by all the students who appeared in Eligibilitycum-Entrance Test undergraduate exam (NEET-UG) 2024 and said the identity of students should be masked. A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra ordered that result should be published separately, city and centre-wise by 12 noon Saturday. The apex court passed the direction after the petitionerstudents urged it to direct the testing agency to publish the result of all students to bring in some transparency. The top court in its order stated: “The petitioners have submitted that it would be appropriate if the results of the NEET-UG 24 exam is published on the website so as to bring about some transparency on the centre-wise marks obtained by candidates. We direct the NTA to publish the marks obtained by students in the NEET-UG 2024 exam while at the same time ensuring that the identity of the students is masked. The results should be declared in relation to each centre and city separately.” The bench said it will continue the hearing of pleas alleging paper leak and malpractice in NEET-UG 2024 exams, on 22 July. The top court held a daylong hearing in the matter. The apex court was hearing a batch of pleas seeking direction to recall NEET-UG 2024 results and to conduct the examination afresh, alleging paper leakage and malpractices in the test held. Aspirants had approached the top court and raised the issue of leakage of question paper, awarding of compensatory marks and anomaly in the question papers of the NEET-UG exam. The NEETUG examination, conducted by NTA, is the pathway for admissions into MBBS, BDS and AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country. Data protection sought for chemicals sector Two killed as Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derails in UP STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 18 JULY Predatory practices by foreign companies, notably from China, have caused a huge loss to the Indian chemicals sector especially agrochemicals. A trade surplus that prevailed in 2020-21 has degenerated into a $17 billion trade deficit in FY 2023. This has been pointed out to the government even as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present the first Union Budget of Modi 3.0. In its representation, the agrochemical sector has voiced a need for data protection for new formulations and chemicals introduced and registered for the first time in India for a defined period. As a signatory of TRIPS and WTO, India is expected to align with global standards where data protection is provided for six to 15 years. Even neighbouring countries like China offer six years of data protection for firsttime registrations. The sector believes that data protection is essential to encourage the introduction of new crop protection solutions. Dr. R. G. Agarwal, Chairman of Dhanuka Group and a member of CropLife India and the Agro Chem Federation of India, emphasized that with the advent of climate change, new diseases and pests are emerging. Farmers urgently need innovative pesticides to manage these challenges, as many prevailing pests have developed resistance against existing pesticides. Dr. Agarwal stated that data protection is crucial to attract countries with advanced technologies, such as Japan, Europe, and the USA, to invest in India. This would bring new agricultural technologies that can drive growth in Indian agriculture, benefiting farmers and promoting rural development. However, current Indian regulations lack provisions for data protection, despite recommendations from eminent government authorities and committees constituted by the Union government.The Satwant Reddy committee report of 2007 recommends three years of data protection, while the 46th Standing Committee on Agriculture, appointed by Parliament, has recommended five years of data protection. The Ashok Dalwai committee, appointed by the Prime Minister to double farmers’ income, has also recommended 2-3 years of data protection. However, the New PMB 2020 presented in Parliament has no provision for data protection, whereas the initial PMB 2008 included three years of data protection, which was later removed. (Turn to Page 8) GONDA/GUWAHATI, 18 JULY Several coaches of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed in Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday in which at least two passengers were killed and 20 people were injured. The 15904 Chandigarh Dibrugarh Express derailed in the Gonda-Mankapur railway section of the North Eastern Railway. The accident spot is 25 kilometres away from Gonda and around 150 kms from Lucknow. Earlier there were reports of four casualties but later the railways confirmed there were only two deaths. The injured were admitted to the Gonda district hospital. The accident happened near Pikaura village within Motiganj police station area. According to a senior official, 21 coaches out of the total 23 derailed, of which five were AC coaches. Reports said that water logging on the tracks could be the reason Manorama Khedkar, mother of trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, detained from Mahad STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Police have sought a 7-day custody of Manorama Khedkar. Section 307 of IPC was added to the existing FIR against Manorama Khedkar and six others, police informed the court. NEW DELHI, 18 JULY Pune Police on Thursday detained Manorama Khedkar, mother of controversial probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, days after she was seen wielding a gun and threatening local farmers in a viral video. The Pune court remanded Manorama Khedkar to police custody till July 20. Police have sought a 7-day custody of Manorama Khedkar. Section 307 of IPC was added to the existing FIR against Manorama Khedkar and six others, police informed the court. Earlier, Pankaj Deshmukh, SP, Pune Rural Police, informed that Manorama Khedkar was detained from a hotel in Mahad in Raigad district of Maharashtra. "We have detained her from Mahad. She is on her way here. We will question her and take further legal action. She was found in a hotel in Mahad," Mr Deshmukh told a news agency. Manorama was subsequently brought to Paud Police Station and taken to Paud Rural Hospital for a medical examination. The gun-toting mother of the trainee IAS officer, fac- ing allegations of misrepresenting her OBC status and making false disability claims to seek undue favour in UPSC exam, was on the run after an FIR was registered against her. Earlier this week, Mr Deshmukh had stated that the parents of Puja Khedkar were on the run and their phones were switched off. "The accused are on the run. We are trying to contact them, but they are not reachable as their phones are switched off. We have also tried to reach their residence but they are not available…,” he had said. Last week, Pune Police booked the trainee IAS officer’s mother after an old video of her threatening a local farmer with a gun went viral on social media. The video showed Manorama brandishing a pistol during a heated exchange with the farmer. The Railways has also set up helplines to assist affected passengers and their families. CPRO Pankaj Singh of the NER said that several trains have been diverted through Ayodhya route in the wake of the incident. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed the officials to immediately reach the spot and speed up the relief work and provide prop er treatment to the injured. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said his government is actively coordinating with relevant authorities following the derailment of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express in Uttar Pradesh. The Railways has released several helpline numbers to assist affected passengers and their families. The numbers include Commercial Control Tinsukia: 9957555984; Furkating: 9957555966; Mariani: 6001882410; Simalguri: 8789543798; Tinsukia: 9957555959; Dibrugarh: 9957555960. Additionally, helpline numbers for the Guwahati station have been issued: 03612731621, 0361-2731622, and 0361-2731623. For Lucknow and Gonda the helpline numbers are 8957409292 and 8957400965 respectively. This derailment is the latest in a series of train accidents in India. behind the incident though the train was running with a caution. NDRF and SDRF teams helped rescue passengers trapped inside the overturned coaches. The Railway ministry has ordered a high level probe by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) to determine the cause of the accident. The NER too has ordered a sepa- rate enquiry. The Railways has also announced an ex gratia compensation of Rs 10 lakhs to the families of the deceased, Rs 2.5 lakhs to those who sufferd grievous injury and Rs 50,000 to those with minor injury. General Manager, NER, Soumya Mathur, and other senior railway officials were on the spot. Relief and rescue work is being done on war footing. Indians in B’desh advised to stay indoors amid violent protests WazirX experiences security breach, results in transfer of about $230 m STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 18 JULY NEW DELHI, 18 JULY The Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Thursday issued an advisory asking members of the Indian community in Bangladesh to avoid travel and minimize movement outside their residences in view of widespread protests in the country following the government's decision to close all public and private universities. The advisory said in case of any emergency or need for assistance, the Indians in Bangladesh should reach out to the High Commission or the Assistant High Commissioners. The protests in Bangladesh started in the wake of demands for reform of the country's quota system for civil service jobs, which reserves positions SNS for specific groups. Indian crypto exchange WazirX experienced a security breach on one of its wallets on Thursday, reportedly resulting in the transfer of about $ 230 million to a different address. Cyvers, a Web3 security firm taking it to social media platform ‘X’, said a suspicious address had swapped virtual digital assets while continuing to transfer other digital assets. WazirX confirmed the security breach on the platform. The firm has temporarily paused customer withdrawals. “We are aware that one of our multisig wallets has experienced a security breach. Our team is actively investigating the incident. To ensure the safety of your assets, INR and crypto withdrawals will be temporarily paused,” it said in a statement. Notably, the security breach comes months after the finance ministry issued show-cause notices to nine offshore virtual digital assets service providers dealing with crypto assets. The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) in December last year issued the show-cause notices to VDA platforms like Binance, and Kucoin for noncompliance with anti-money laundering law and requested the Ministry of Electron- ics and Information Technology to block their websites. As the WazirX development came, Sumit Gupta, cofounder and chief executive officer at crypto exchange CoinDCX, said users' assets with the company remain safe. “In light of the recent WazirX breach, we want to reassure all CoinDCX users that your assets are safe and not impacted in any manner. Our wallet security remains robust,” Gupta tweeted.