TUESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2024 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 Pages 16 |` 5.00|LC* KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR 'BJP-RSS SPREADING HATE, VIOLENCE ACROSS COUNTRY' REVANTH AND BJP HAND-IN-GLOVE: KTR P6 SENSEX 84,928.61 Generally cloudy sky. Possibility of rain/thunderstorm towards afternoon/evening. Maximum and Minimum Temperature most likely to be around 34˚C and 29˚C respectively. RAINFALL: 0.0 mm RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 91% ` vs $ 83.55 P10 GOLD 76,690.00 BURDWAN, 23 SEPTEMBER Min:30.6˚C(+4.6) SUN SETS 17:32 hrs MOON SETS 10:49 hrs C THUMBNAILS Workers prepare Kalawa threads (a traditional sacred orange-yellow thread) ahead of the Navaratri festival, at Lal Gopalganj Village in Prayagraj on Sunday. n ANI Badlapur minor girls' rape case accused injured in 'police encounter': In a shocking development, Akshay Shinde -- the prime accused in the sensational Badlapur rape case of two nursery school girls in August -- who allegedly grabbed a policeman’s gun, was allegedly shot at in return fire and injured seriously, here on Monday evening. Another policeman is reported to be injured in the sudden firing, and both have been admitted to a hospital in Kalwe town for treatment. The incident -- suspected to be an ‘encounter’ by the police in self-defence’ -- occurred when Shinde was being shifted by a police escort from Taloja Jail to Badlapur town for investigation in another case in which he is an accused. hief minister Mamata Banerjee today sharpened her attack against the Centre and DVC for causing delays in flood control projects and stressed immediate inland measures to combat difficulties faced by people in postflood situations. On the Ghatal Master Plan for flood ravaged West Midnapore, Banerjee said, "Centre caused unnecessary delays in execution and after much waiting, we've taken the matter in our own hands seriously. The work for preparing the DPR (detailed project report) is in progress. It'll take another three years to see completion. We've already spent Rs 400 crore on this. Due to this monsoon, work is suspended temporarily to prevent wastage of money." The Ghatal Master Plan further took the centre stage during recent floods when Tamluk MP, Abhijit Ganguly mocked Ghatal MP Deepak Adhikari (Dev) and Trinamul Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee about the delay. The CM, incidentally had promised Dev that the Bengal government would implement the Plan on its own, sans Centre's funds. The CM, after the meeting, said, "The bridge construction work at Bhutnir Char in Malda was interrupted due to the incessant rains and will resume soon." She meanwhile expressed her annoyance - why the construction of the proposed second bridge on the Damodar in Burdwan had'nt begun . She also ridiculed the Centre for erecting towering buildings, statues here and there, saying, “You spend huge on such buildings, statues. Give us just onefourth of that sum to help revamping our flood-hit areas." The chief minister today held a high-level flood review meeting in Burdwan District Collectorate this afternoon prior to her visit to the flood-hit areas in Barjora, Bankura. Chief secretary Manoj Pant, principal secretaries of 13 departments, four state ministers, Arup Biswas, Pradip Majumdar, Siddiqullah Chowdhury and Swapan Debnath joined the meeting. The BDOs also were connected virtually and were ordered to procure microphones for urgent communication. She admonished one district official for his lackadaisical approach in addressing the difficulties faced by the people in this critical time. She said: "I warn you, give up your practice of spending more time with family, otherwise you may face harsh action." She instructed the government officials to visit the grassroots, saying, "Go down and meet people and find out their problems." The CM, after the meeting, blamed DVC (Damodar Valley Corporation) further for its continued discharge. At Manachar in Barjora, Bankura, she inspected the Damodar river and expressed her disgust over the unabated release, saying, "You can see, they haven't stopped as yet. We've already cut off all relations with DVC and two of our senior executives have already stepped down from their board." She added: "They actually want to liquidate DVC through privatization." The DVC meanwhile Odisha CM Majhi orders time-bound judicial probe into custodial abuse case STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE BHUBANESWAR, 23 SEPTEMBER Amid growing national outrage over the alleged custodial harassment of an army officer and his fiancée on 15 September, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and his cabinet colleagues met the victims and assured them that justice will be served. In a series of swift developments, the Chief Minister, Deputy CM K.V. Singh Deo, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, senior bureaucrats, DGP Y.B. Khurania, and Advocate General Pitambar Acharya met late on Sunday night. They announced a judicial probe led by retired High Court judge C.R. Das. The commission has been directed to submit its report within 60 days. The P16 SILVER 93,000 government also requested the High Court to oversee the ongoing Crime Branch investigation into the case. However, the High Court declined the request today, stating that investigative agencies have statutory powers in cognizable offenses and court should not face interference unless under exceptional circumstances. Hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) related to the incident, the court also instructed the media not to reveal the names of the army officer and his fiancée and called for a status report on CCTV installations at all police stations in the state. Having ordered a judicial inquiry, Chief Minister Majhi, on Monday met with the army officer, his fiancée, and her father at the state secretariat (Lok Seva Bhawan). During the meeting, Majhi assured them of an impartial investigation. "Mohan Majhi has proved that he is truly a people's CM," said the fiancée after the meeting. Her father expressed optimism, saying, "We are hopeful of getting justice with the government's judicial probe order. I have sought protection for my daughter, who runs a restaurant, and the CM has assured us that police security will be provided." He also requested action against those who circulated defamatory videos related to the incident on social media. "I thank CM Mohan Majhi for ordering a judicial inquiry. Justice will be done in a timebound manner," he added. Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan reiterated the government's stance, emphasizing its zero-tolerance policy towards atrocities on women. He noted that the CM and his ministers were out of Bhubaneswar when the incident occurred and that upon their return, they immediately ordered the judicial inquiry. He criticized the Opposition for politicizing the sensitive issue. maintained a combined discharge of 39,000 Cusecs combined release from its Maithon and Panchet upper dams till this evening, the catchment there though recorded zero precipitation since five days. The CM alleged: "They release entire water to Bengal purposely to protect Jharkhand. So does the Farakka Barrage causing inundation in Malda, Murshidabad. Bihar also directs flows of trapped water to those districts, unfortunately." The chief minister asked the district level officials to expedite post-flood restoration and stabilization works, besides, accelerating delivery of relief to the flood-hit areas. She suggested: "Talk to the rice millers and extend support to the farmers buying the entire remaining paddy. Also, I assure that the farmers who lost their yield in the flood would be compensated through crop insurance for which the state itself bears the premium." She directed the MLAs and MPs to use their funds for restoration of damaged roads in their constituencies. The panchayat minister, Pradip Majumdar was told to kick off a survey of partly and fully damaged houses and by December, funds for 11 lakh houses should be released in two phases. She also prescribed the principal secretary, health, Narayan Swarup Nigam to ensure ample supply of anti-snake venom (AVS), diarrhea, antibiotics in the hospitals especially in the flood-hit districts. The chief minister asked the farmers to look for alternative crops after water recedes. Commitment to make India third-largest global economy: PM STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 23 SEPTEMBER Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his government's resolve to make India the third-largest economy in the world during his third term. Expressing his government's commitment to mak- Navy to launch expedition to circumnavigate globe STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 23 SEPTEMBER- The Indian Navy is all set to embark on the extraordinary mission of circumnavigating the globe with the second edition of Navika Sagar Parikrama expedition. Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Tarini would sail on this challenging expedition with two women officers - Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A on 2 October. The historic voyage will be flagged off from Naval Ocean Sailing Node, INS Mandovi, Goa. Over a period of eight months, the duo will navigate over 21,600 nautical miles (about 40,000 km) without any external assistance, relying solely on wind power. The circumnavigation highlights the exceptional Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Tarini would sail on this challenging expedition with two women officers - Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A on 2 October. valour, courage and perseverance of the officers, who will face rigours of high seas, extreme weather conditions, pushing the limits of human endurance. The route will take them through some of the most treacherous waters including the perilous passage around the three great Capes - Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope. The voyage is not just a testament to their personal bravery and skill, but also a celebration of the Indian Navy's commitment to Nari Shakti showcasing their indomitable spirit and determination. The expedition was conceived by the Indian Navy with the inaugural Navika Sagar Parikrama, the first ever Indian circumnavigation of the globe by an all women crew of six officers in 2017. However, the second edition of the expedition will be an exceptional one as they will become the first from India to accomplish such a feat in double handed mode. Earlier, Capt Dilip Donde (Retd.) was the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe in 2009 10. Subsequently, Cdr Abhilash Tomy (Retd.) was the first Asian skipper to participate in two circumnavigations and accomplished the rare feat of completing the Golden Globe Race in 2022. Storing, watching of child porn is an offence under POCSO Act: SC PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 23 SEPTEMBER Suggesting the Parliament to “seriously consider” amending POCSO Act for substituting the word ‘child pornography’ with “child sexual exploitative and abuse material” (CSEAM) so that it could reflect more accurately on the reality of such offences, the Supreme Court on Monday ruled that watching and storage of child pornography material on the digital devices can be an offence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act) if the person concerned had the intention to make some gain or advantage from the same. Urging the parliament to “seriously consider” amending the POCSO Act, a bench of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice J.B. Pardiwala ,in BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 74.49 CM stressed immediate inland measures to combat difficulties faced by people in post-flood situations STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Moon on 03 october 2ND TEST: SHAKIB REMAINS DOUBTFUL Flood meeting: CM takes on Centre, Bihar; blames DVC Min. 57% TEMPERATURE Max: 34.8˚C(+2.0) SUN RISES 05:26 hrs MOON RISES 21:37 hrs P5 NIFTY 25,939.05 WEATHER ‘DISUNITY LED US TO WAIT FOR 500 YEARS FOR RAM TEMPLE’ a judgment today, said that in the meantime, the Central government may “consider to bring about the suggested amendment to the POCSO by way of an ordinance.” Having flagged the necessity and immediacy of amending the POCSO Act and bringing an ordinance in the meantime, the top court today forbid all the courts across the country from using the term “child pornography” and instead, use “child sexual exploitative and abuse material” (CSEAM). “We further forbid the courts from using the term "child pornography" and instead the term "child sexual exploitative and abuse material" (CSEAM) should be used in judicial orders and judgements of all courts across the country”, the judgment said in a direction having far- reaching effect. “We put the courts to notice that the term “child pornography” shall not be used in any judicial order or judgment, and instead the term “child sexual exploitative and abuse material” (CSEAM) should be endorsed”, said one of the directions issued today. Speaking for the bench, Justice Paridiwala said, “One must also be mindful of the fact that the term "child pornography" is a misnomer that fails to capture the full extent of the crime. It is important to recognize that each case of what is traditionally termed "child pornography" involves the actual abuse of a child.” Further stating that the use of the term "child pornography" can “lead to a trivialization of the crime, as pornography is often seen as a consensual act between adults”, Justice Pardiwala, pronouncing the judgment, said “The term "child sexual exploitative and abuse material" (CSEAM) rightly places the emphasis on the exploitation and abuse of the child, highlighting the criminal nature of the act and the need for a serious and robust response.” In a series of suggestions to both the parliament and the Central government, the apex court, in its judgment today favoured imparting “comprehensive sex education programmes that include information about the legal and ethical ramifications of child pornography can help deter potential offenders” and suggested “constituting an Expert Committee tasked with devising a comprehensive programme or mechanism for health and sex education, as well as raising awareness about the POCSO among children across the country from an early age, for ensuring a robust and wellinformed approach to child protection, education, and sexual well-being.” It said that the schools can also play a crucial role in early identification and intervention. Implementing school-based programmes that educate students about healthy relationships, consent, and appropriate behaviour can help prevent problematic sexual behaviours (PSB). The top court judgment came on the petitions by NGOs Just Rights for Children Alliance and the Bachpan Bachao Andolan who had challenged the January 11, 2024, Madras High Court judgment holding that the mere possession or storage of any pornographic material is not an offence under the POCSO. The High Court had further held that mere watching or downloading of child pornography in private domain is not punishable under the same. The Just Rights for Children Alliance a coalition comprising five different NGOs - work in unison against child trafficking, sexual exploitation and other allied causes. The Bachpan Bachao Andolan is a child rights organization working towards protecting children from exploitation. The bone of contention was the question whether, mere viewing, possessing or storing of any child pornographic material is punishable under the POCSO? The other issues were the scope of Section 15 of the POCSO Act, and the true scope of Section 67B of the Information Technology Act. ing India a global semiconductor manufacturing hub, he highlighted the economic transformation happening in India, particularly in electronics and information technology manufacturing, semiconductors, biotech and green development. The PM was interacting with technology industry leaders in New York in a Roundtable anchored by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), School of Engineering. The tech-roundtable focused on Artificial Intelligence and Quantum; Biotechnology and Life Sciences; Computing, IT and Communication; and Semiconductor technologies. ‘Laapataa Ladies’ is India's official entry for Oscars 2025 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 23 SEPTEMBER Filmproducer and screenwriter's Kiran Rao's 'Laapataa Ladies', has been chosen as India's official entry for the Oscars 2025, the Film Federation of India (FFI), announced on Monday. India has officially selected 'Laapataa Ladies' as its entry for the Best Foreign Film category at the 97th Academy Awards. Produced by Aamir Khan in collaboration with Kiran Rao and Jyoti Deshpande, 'Laapataa Ladies' has garnered widespread acclaim since its release. The film was released in theaters on March 1 this year. The film, which features a talented cast including Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, and actor and politician Ravi Kishan, presents a comedic tale of two young brides who find themselves lost during a train journey, leading to a series of humorous misunderstandings. The Film Federation of India (FFI), made the announcement recognising the film's unique storytelling and its appeal to both audiences and critics.