TUESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2024 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘PM’S ‘ABJECT FAILURE’ IN MANIPUR IS UNFORGIVABLE’ JAISHANKAR MEETS LAVROV IN RIYADH P5 SENSEX 81,559.54 WEATHER Generally cloudy sky. Rain / thundershower very likely to occur. Maximum and Minimum Temperature most likely to be around 33 ˚C and 28˚C respectively. ` vs $ 83.95 P9 GOLD 73,565 SC urges doctors to return to work by 5 p.m. today Min. 64% TEMPERATURE Max: 32.6˚C (+0.1) SUN RISES 05:22 hrs MOON RISES 10:23 hrs Min: 25.7˚C (-0.7) SUN SETS 17:46 hrs MOON SETS 21:20 hrs Full Moon on 18 September THUMBNAILS PARMOD KIMAR NEW DELHI, 9 SEPTEMBER Devotees immerse the idol of Lord Ganesha on the third day of the ten-day-long Ganesh Chaturthi festival, at Kuakhai River, in Bhubaneswar on Monday. n ANI Two Pakistani terrorists killed on LoC, US-made M4 among recovery: The Indian Army foiled an infiltration bid by killing two heavily armed Pakistani terrorists at the LoC in the Nowshera area of the Rajouri district during the wee hours on Monday. A US-made M4 rifle with sight attachment, two AK47 rifles, a pistol and 8 hand grenades were among the cache of arms and ammunition recovered during a search operation at the encounter spot. The White Knight Corps of the Indian Army said that based on inputs from intelligence agencies and J&K Police regarding a likely infiltration bid, an anti-infiltration operation was launched by the Indian Army on the intervening night of 8 and 9 September in the general area Lam in Nowshera. T he Supreme Court on Monday gave junior doctors in the West Bengal government hospitals and associated medical colleges two days’ time – by Tuesday 05.00 pm - to return to their work failing which the State government is free to initiate action against doctors staying away from their duties. Telling the West Bengal government not to take any action including punitive transfers against the doctors who return to work by 05.00 pm Tuesday, Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud heading a bench also comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra said that if doctors do not resume to work, then we cannot stop the state govt from taking disciplinary action against them. “We direct that junior doctors have to be back to work by tomorrow by 05.00 pm, and no action should be taken against them till that time. We direct that if the doctors do not resume work, then we cannot stop the state government from taking disciplinary action against them. if they resume work then no action be taken against them as we are seized of the matter,” the court said in its order. Reminding the doctors that they are in the field of health care and render services, the court, while asking junior doctors to return to their work, reiterated “No adverse action will be taken against the doctors who join work. No punitive action, including transfers, will take place against the doctors, after they join their respective work.” The top court’s order came after senior advocate Kapil Sibal Major rail accident averted near Kanpur STATEMAN NEWS SERVICE KANPUR, 9 SEPTEMBER A major train accident was averted due to the alert loco pilot of 14117 Kalindi Express train when some miscreants placed a LPG cylinder on the tracks near Barrajpur station on Sunday night. UP government has engaged ATS to investigate the incident. ATS IG Nilabja Chaudhary has reached the spot along with his team and was investigating the spot. He said an attempt was made to derail the train and ATS was looking at every aspect. According to police , the LPG cylinder was full filled with gas and the train hit the cylinder even after the drivers applied emergency brakes at around 8:30 PM on Sunday. According to police , the LPG cylinder was filled with gas and the train hit the cylinder even after the drivers applied emergency brakes at around 8:30 PM on Sunday. Anwarganj Railway Station Superintendent, RPF and other officials reached the spot and investigated the spot. The accident happened about two and a half kilometers ahead of Barrajpur and five kilometers before Bilhaur station. Along with a filled cylinder, a glass bottle with wick, matchbox, candle and a suspicious bag were found near the spot. There was some material like gunpowder in this bag. If the cylinder of Indane which the conspirators had kept in the middle of the track, had burst, it could have derailed the train as well as set the engine on fire, investigators expressed. Police said broken sleepers were found lying on the track at a distance of about 50 meters from the spot. It is believed that after colliding with the Kalindi Express, which was running at a speed of about 100 kilometers per hour, the cylinder bounced in the middle of the track for about fifty meters. Because of this, wherever it fell, the sleepers were broken. However, the cylinder was eventually found lying on the side of the track. appearing for the West Bengal government apprised the court of the difficulties being faced by the people as junior doctors, who he said are the backbone of the health care system, are not attending their duties for the last 28 days. Sibal said that besides lakhs of people who have been denied medical care due to the cease work action of the junior doctors, 23 people have died as a consequence. The court also said that the West Bengal government must take steps to create confidence amongst the doctors and the concerns regarding their safety and security must be catered to. The State police shall ensure that necessary conditions are created for ensuring the safety of all the doctors including provisions for separate rest rooms, toilet facilities, installation of CCTV cameras. “The District Collectors and the Superintendent of police shall look into the situation and ensure necessary conditions are created for ensuring safety and security of doctors of government medical colleges and hospitals which include creation of rest-rooms for male and female doctors, installation of CCTVs. The affidavit by state police says funds have been sanctioned by state of west Bengal for additional CCTVs, this shall be continuously monitored by the District Collectors along with Superintendent of police,” the top court said in its order. The court after perusing the status report by the CBI on its investigation of the case and that of the West Bengal government said that the CBI has certain leads in the incident and asked the investigating agency to file a further status report by Sep 16 on the progress made by it in pursuing the leads that has emerged in the course of probe, and posted the matter for further hearing to September 17, 2024. The court, after going through the status report noted, “One thing is very clear. There is at least 14 hours delay in registration of FIR on the rape-murder incident by Kolkata police. Two things are known - the time when the victim went to the seminar hall to rest and second the movement around that room after that.” The top court also directed immediate removal of photographs of the RG Kar hospital victim from all social media platforms and electronic mediums to protect the dignity and privacy of the deceased. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 9 SEPTEMBER After the Supreme Court hearing on Monday, where it asked the protesting doctors to join work, chief minister Mamata Banerjee too urged doctors to return to work. Amid protests throughout the state, she also denied offering money to the family of a deceased doctor, who was raped and murdered in Kolkata. During an administrative review meeting at Nabanna Sabhaghar, Banerjee stated, "The Supreme Court has requested doctors to resume work immediately. I also request that they return to duty, and if they wish to meet me, they are always welcome." Banerjee encouraged people to "return to festivities" as Durga Puja approaches and requested junior doctors to resume duty as soon as possible. She dismissed accusations of offering money to the victim's family as "slander" and a conspiracy involving the Centre and left parties. "I have never offered money to the deceased doctor's family, this is nothing but slander. I told the deceased doctor's parents that if they wanted to do something in their daughter's memory, our government is with them. Kolkata Commissioner of Police, Vineet Goyal, offered to resign after R G Kar protests, but we need someone who knows law and order ahead of Durga Puja," In his maiden address to the Indian Diaspora in Dallas, United States, after taking over as the leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi claimed that the fear of the ruling BJP vanished immediately after the Lok Sabha elections. “The fear of the BJP disappeared. We saw this that within minutes of the election results, nobody in India is scared of the BJP or the prime minister of India,” he said. Crediting the people of the country for the BJP not getting an absolute majority, Gandhi said, “So, these are the huge achievements, of not Rahul Gandhi or Congress party, but of the people of India who realised democracy, of the people of India who realised that we are not going In his maiden address abroad after taking over as the leader of the Opposition, the Congress leader accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of attacking the Constitution. to accept an attack on our Constitution, religion, and our states.” Accusing Narendra Modi of attacking the Constitution, he said, “The fight was crystallised in the elections when millions of people in India clearly understood that the prime minister of India is attacking the Constitution of India. Everything I said, includ- ing respect to religion, and caste, is in the Constitution. The foundation of modern India is the Constitution.” In an apparent reference to his election campaign for the general elections, Gandhi said, “When I used to raise (copy of) the Constitution, the people understood what I was saying. They understood that the BJP was attacking our tradition, language, states, and history. Most importantly what they understood is that anybody who is attacking the Constitution of India is also attacking our religion and tradition.” Countering the concept of India of the RSS with that of his party, Gandhi said, “The RSS believes that India is one idea. We (Congress) believe that India is a multiplicity of ideas. We believe that everybody should be allowed to participate, we believe every- body should be allowed to dream, and everybody should be given space regardless of their caste, language, religion, tradition, or history. This is the fight.” Reacting sharply to Gandhi's remarks, Union Minister Giriraj Singh said, “Rahul Gandhi goes abroad only to defame India.” On his remarks on the RSS, he said, “Those who go abroad and criticise the nation won’t be able to understand the RSS. The RSS is born from the values and culture of India.” Echoing similar sentiments, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan accused the leader of the Opposition of tarnishing the image of the country. “He is a representative of the country. He is going abroad and tarnishing the image of the country which is equal to betraying the nation,” he said. she said. On Monday, the Supreme Court reminded that no action should be taken against doctors once they return to work by tomorrow, 5 pm, while hearing the case related to the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar hospital. However, the court noted that if they fail to do so, the court will not be able to restrain the state government, and further absence from work might lead to disciplinary action against them. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 9 SEPTEMBER Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday held discussions on the entire spectrum of India-UAE bilateral relations and avenues to broaden the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Mr Modi received the Crown Prince at Hyderabad House where the two leaders discussed the future areas of cooperation that lie ahead. The Prime Minister conveyed his warm greetings to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE. During the discussions, the two leaders expressed satisfaction over the substantial progress achieved in recent years in the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They discussed opportunities to further widen and deepen the partnership in all areas of bilateral cooperation. The two leaders acknowledged that the success of the Com- She further stated that if they have any demands, they need to put them forward to the health department, and it would be accepted. She further mentioned that, according to a complaint, two doctors were already suspended. Banerjee also accused outsiders of increased crime in the state and requested them to take "responsibility." Regarding the Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024, she said, "Aprajita Bill implementation is our priority; if the bill is approved, the bill will be implemented." Banerjee accused outsiders of increasing crime in the state and requested them to take responsibility. She alleged that the ongoing protests were a conspiracy by the Centre and CPM and that the Reclaim the Night movement was causing disturbance for senior citizens. Delhi govt bans firecrackers till 1 Jan to combat air pollution AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 9 SEPTEMBER The Delhi government has issued a notification imposing a ban on firecrackers till January 1, 2025 to mitigate air pollution in winter. Gopal Rai, Minister for Environment of Delhi, on Monday said, “As part of efforts to keep Delhi’s air clean, a notification has been issued to mitigate pollution caused by firecrackers by banning their use in the winter months. The ban will remain in effect till January 1, 2025, to help curb winter pollution." The ban also covers online sales and delivery of firecrackers in the national Capital. Pollution levels in Delhi have steadily decreased BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 71.77 PM, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince hold talks, five pacts signed CM refutes offering money to deceased doctor’s family Rahul says ‘fear’ of BJP vanished after LS polls, BJP hits back STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 9 P12 SILVER 85,000 SC also raised multiple concerns regarding the post-mortem report of the R.G Kar case RAINFALL: 031.1 mm RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 94% P8 NIFTY 24,936.40 FIRST DAY OF AFG-NZ TEST CALLED OFF TRUMP HUNTS FOR INFREQUENT VOTERS over the past 12 months said Gopal Rai and added, "However, pollution during the winter months, particularly in November and December, still peaks significantly." The Delhi Government is working on various Winter Action Plans to address pollution issues. Different departments have been assigned responsibilities to implement the required measures. "An action plan will be prepared in collaboration with Delhi Police, Delhi Pollution Control Committee and the Revenue Department to strictly implement the cracker ban," he added. The BJP has criticised the Delhi government's decision to ban firecrackers during the festive season. prehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the recent entry into force of the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) will provide further impetus to the strong economic and commercial partnership between the two countries. They underscored the need to explore new areas of untapped potential, particularly in nuclear energy, critical minerals, green hydrogen, artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technologies. The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President welcomed him and expressed deep appreciation for the historically close and friendly relations between the two countries, underpinned by strong people to people ties. ‘Give more nominations for Padma Awards’:PrimeMinister Narendra Modi on Monday urged people to actively participate in the nomination process for the prestigious Padma Awards. Modi stressed ontheimportanceofrecognizing grassroots-level heroes who have made significant contributions to society. Emphasisingthetransparent and participatory approach of the nomination process, the Prime Minister expressed his happiness at the number of nominations already received and urged more people to nominate deserving candidates for the prestigious Padma Awards through the official portal at awards.gov.in. Centre issues advisory to states over monkeypox STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 9 SEPTEMBER The Central government on Monday issued an advisory to the States and Union Territories (UTs) over the Mpox (monkeypox), calling upon for the screening and testing of all the suspect cases of the viral disease. The latest advisory came a day after the Union Health Ministry informed that a young male patient, who recently travelled from a country currently experiencing monkeypox transmission, has been identified as a suspect case. The patient has been isolated in a designated hospital and is currently stable. India reports first Mpox case: The Union Health Ministry on Monday informed that presence of Mpox (monkeypox) virus of West African clade 2 was confirmed in an isolated patient. The patient is stable and there is no immediate risk to the public, it said. In a statement, the Health Ministry said, “The previously suspected case of Mpox (monkeypox) has been verified as a travel-related infection. Laboratory testing has confirmed the presence of Mpox virus of the West African clade 2 in the patient. This case is an isolated case, similar to the earlier 30 cases reported in India from July 2022 onwards, and is not a part of the current public health emergency (reported by WHO) which is regarding clade 1 of Mpox.” “The individual, a young male who recently traveled from a country experiencing ongoing Mpox transmission, is currently isolated at a designated tertiary care isolation facility. The patient remains clinically stable and is without any systemic illness or comorbidities,” it said.