MONDAY 07 OCTOBER 2024 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR P9 WEATHER MAINLY CLEAR SKY. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 36 AND 25 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 90 % TEMPERATURE P5 P8 Global peace essential for brighter future: PM Modi reaffirms India is dedicated to advancing global peace, unity STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 6 OCTOBER Min. 37 % Max: 35.7 °C (+1) SUN RISES 06:18 hrs MOON RISES 11:13 hrs INDIA REGISTER RBI MPC LIKELY TO MAINTAIN STATUS QUO ON 6-WICKET WIN OVER PAK POLICY RATES: EXPERTS IN WOMEN’S T20 WC ‘EAM’S ISLAMABAD VISIT COULD IMPROVE INDO-PAK RELATIONS’ TRUMP RETURNS TO SCENE OF PENNSYLVANIA ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT Min: 24.8 °C (+3) SUN SETS 18:00 hrs MOON SETS 20:32 hrs THUMBNAILS Artisans cover a Durga idol to protect it from rain in Kumartuli, Kolkata, on Sunday. n MOUL MONDAL Two US, UK women climbers stuck in Uttarakhand mountains rescued successfully: After a gruelling 80-hour rescue effort, two stranded mountaineers on the Chaukhamba Peak in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, have been successfully rescued on Sunday. The operation was a joint effort involving the Indian Air Force, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indian Army, and local administration. P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday acknowledged the rise of new conflicts that threaten the socioeconomic stability of nations and said that these challenges can only be effectively met through concerted global action and people-to-people engagement. Mr Modi emphasised the critical importance of global peace in securing a brighter future for humanity and asserted that the success of our collective efforts relies on unity and collaboration among nations and communities. The Prime Minister reiterated that global peace is fundamental for a brighter future, reinforcing that our shared endeavours rely on unity. In a signed message to Adish C Aggarwala, Senior Advocate and President of the International Council of Jurists and the International Commission of Writers, the Prime Minister highlighted India's historical India, PM Modi reaffirmed, is dedicated to advancing global peace, unity, and brotherhood, inspired by the philosophy of ÂOne Earth, One Family, One FutureÊ. This human-centric approach aims to cultivate a peaceful world for future generations. commitment to peace, drawing inspiration from figures such as Bhagwan Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi, who emphasised human dignity and welfare--values that remain profoundly relevant today. Mr Modi praised the organiser Adish C. Aggarwala, who is also immediate past President of Supreme Court Bar Association, for the Interna- tional Conference of Jurists and Writers for World Peace scheduled for October 9-10 in London. India, the Prime Minister reaffirmed, is dedicated to advancing global peace, unity, and brotherhood, inspired by the philosophy of "One Earth, One Family, One Future." This human-centric approach aims to cultivate a peaceful world for future gen- erations. Mr Modi expressed confidence that the discussions at the conference would lead to a visionary blueprint for peace, harmony, and well-being. He concluded by wishing the participants success in their deliberations, highlighting the importance of their collective efforts in promoting global peace. P12 ‘PM Modi one of the few leaders in world who can engage with Russia & Ukraine’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 6 OCTOBER External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one of the few leaders in the world today, who can engage with Russia and Ukraine. "In respect of Ukraine, in the last few months, PM Modi met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thrice. He met Russian President Vladimir Putin once. He's spoken to him more often and the NSA (National Security Advisor) and myself, we've been in touch," Jaishankar said while addressing the Kautilya Economic Conclave on Sunday, where he emphasised the role India has played in trying to find a point of convergence between the two parties in the conflict. He said: “The reason we are doing it is we are one of the few countries and PM Modi is one of the few leaders who today, has the ability to go to Kyiv and Moscow and talk to the two leaders and see what are their common points, is there something we can start or is there some convergence, some intersection that we can see which can become a strand which you pick up and try and develop and see whether things could be better?” Further, speaking on the escalating situation in the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addresses the third edition of Kautilya Economic Conclave in New Delhi on Sunday. n ANI Middle East, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar noted that the conflict is even more challenging due to the numerous parties involved and their lack of acknowledgement regarding their roles in the conflict. “The Middle East is more tricky in a way. There are more parties, not all of them acknowledge their role in what they are doing,” he said. The External Affairs Minister acknowledged India's role in bridging gaps between countries that don't communicate with each other. “It's not that we have been uninvolved. At various times, we have played some role in communication between countries who don't Maldives President arrives Mamata asks police to invoke POCSO in Joynagar case in Delhi for talks with Modi STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Calcutta High Court, in a specially convened hearing on Sunday, ordered a second post mortem of the body of the schoolgirl who was allegedly raped and murdered in South 24-Parganas. The court also questioned why the POCSO Act has not been applied despite the allegation of sexual assault KOLKATA, 6 OCTOBER STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 6 OCTOBER Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu arrived here on Sunday on what is seen as a visit aimed at mending fences with India following prolonged tensions between the two neighbouring nations over the presence of Indian troops in the archipelago. Shortly after his arrival, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on the Maldivian leader. “Pleased to call on President @MMuizzu today at the start of his State Visit to India. Appreciate his commitment to enhance India-Maldives relationship. Confident that his talks with PM @narendramodi tomorrow will give a new impetus to our friendly ties,'' Mr Jaishankar wrote on X after the meeting. Mohamed Muizzu, who is accompanied by First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed, will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, followed by the signing of some key agreements between the two countries. The two leaders are expected to give an impetus to bilateral ties during their talks. Mr Muizzu had come to India in June for a brief visit to mark his presence at the swearing-in ceremony of Mr Modi's government. He had informal talks with the PM at that time also and assured him that he would soon pay a state visit to India. The Maldives President will also meet President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. Apart from New Delhi, he will visit Agra, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Recently, on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Mr Muizzu had stated that he was planning to visit India as soon as possible. He also praised the "very strong" bilateral relationship between the two countries." "I am planning to visit (India) as soon as possible...We have a very strong bilateral relationship," Muizzu said. Earlier, almost every Maldivian President used to make his first foreign visit to India but Mr Muizzu, who is considered a strong ally of China, changed the trend by first visiting Turkiye and then Beijing, after assuming office. Mr Muizzu started making positive overtures towards India only after India withdrew its troops from the island. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday asked police to register a case under the POCSO Act in the alleged rape-murder of a 10-year-old girl in Mahismari in Joynagar in South 24-Parganas istrict, and ensure that the culprits get capital punishment within three months. Amid the turmoil of the RG PGT rape and murder incident, the body of a 9year-old girl, who had gone missing earlier, was found at Kultuli in Joynagar on Saturday. With the parents of the girl claiming that their daughter was raped and murdered, the incident sparked violence by locals and fresh outrage across the state. Police on Sunday detained a person who is said to have confessed to killing her. Miss Banerjee, who was speaking at the Kolkata Police Bodyguard Lines after virtually inaugurating several Durga Pujas said: "I want the police to register the Kultuli case under the POCSO Act and ensure that the culprits get capital punishment within three months... Crime is crime; there is no religion or caste. Strong action should be taken against the criminals.” Taking exception to “media trials” in rape cases, Miss Banerjee said these must stop as it could hamper investigations. Meanwhile, Calcutta High Court, in a specially convened hearing on Sunday, has If PM Modi gives free electricity in BJP-ruled states, will campaign for his party in Delhi polls: Arvind Kejriwal STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 6 OCTOBER Aam Aadmi Party national convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said he would campaign for the BJP if Prime Minister Narendra Modi provides free electricity in the 22 states ruled by the NDA. “I challenge PM Modi to provide free electricity in all the 22 states ruled by the BJP and its allies before the Delhi Assembly elections in February. If he does, I will campaign for the BJP,” he said addressing the 'Janta Ki Adalat' here at Chhatrasal stadium The AAP chief alleged the double-engine governments of NDA were corrupt and inflation was increasing across the states governed by them. He challenged Prime Minister Modi to do a single work across the 22 BJP-ruled states in a year, like the ones being done for the people in Delhi. Mr Kejriwal alleged that the double-engine governments of the BJP were slowly failing in the states, and further claimed that people in Haryana's villages, amid polls, gave the saffron party an unwelcoming response. Taking a dig at the Lieutenant Governor, Mr Kejriwal alleged that when he was in jail, the high officer removed the bus marshals and also stopped the medicines in Delhi. He further said: “I am taking an oath that I will ensure that the people of Delhi get their rights, I will make Delhi a full state and I will free Delhi from LG.” Mr Kejriwal, further expressing concern on Delhi's law and order situation, claimed that it was in a bad state, alleging that goons have made the capital their strongholds. The AAP chief alleged that doctors and policemen were murdered, while bullets were being fired on traders to collect weekly payments. Mr Kejriwal accused the ruling dispensation at the Centre of not being able to protect Delhi, with the police being under its control. He claimed that for 8 years everything was going smoothly in Delhi, but as soon as he was sent to jail, things started becoming bad, and many works started getting stalled in the city. Mr Kejriwal assured that the city's works that were stopped, are now being resumed with roads now being repaired and added that soon medicines would be made available in the mohalla clinics and hospitals. This is the second Janta Ki Adalat addressed by the AAP chief since he was released on bail from the Tihar jail. The first such event was addressed by him at the Jantar Mantar, where Mr Kejriwal had said that he had resigned as Delhi CM and will go before the public and get their certificate of honesty by undergoing the trial by fire (agni pariksha). ordered a second post mortem of the body of the school girl who was allegedly raped and murdered at Joynagar in South 24-Parganas. Justice Tirthankar Ghosh of Calcutta High Court, hearing a petition filed by the girl's parents, directed that the second post-mortem be conducted at AIIMS Hospital in Kalyani on Monday in the presence of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) of Baruipur court. Justice Ghosh also ques- tioned why the POCSO Act had not been applied despite the allegation of sexual assault. Justice Ghosh was hearing the matter on an emergency basis following a direction of Calcutta High Court's Chief Justice T. S. Sivagnanam. During the hearing, the victim's lawyer demanded a CBI investigation in the incident. On Saturday, the area of Mahishmari village in Joynagar became tense following the discovery of the body of the 9-year-old girl, who had gone missing the previous day, with allegations of sexual assault being raised. communicate with each other. The Global South is feeling the pain much more of a global society and a global economy under stress. They would like somebody to do something about it. To the extent that you have a country like India which understands their concerns and is able to put it across,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said. “They clearly support a lot of our initiatives. It was very visible in the UN. It's important that we are really connected to all the major players. We are seen as a country with a greater sense of responsibility towards the global polity and it's part of India's own evolution," he added. Haryana sees 67.90 pc polling: Chief Electoral Officer AGENCIES CHANDIGARH, 6 OCTOBER Haryana Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pankaj Agarwal said on Sunday that 67.90 per cent voting took place on October 5 for the 15th Assembly election in the state. The ballots will be counted on Tuesday. The highest 75.36 per cent voting was recorded in the Sirsa district and the lowest 56.49 per cent voting was recorded in the Faridabad district. As per the constituency, the highest 80.61 per cent voting was recorded in Ellenabad and the lowest 48.27 per cent voting was recorded in Badkhal. Agarwal said the elections were peaceful. Voting for the 90 Assembly constituencies was held in a single phase from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. A total of 20,632 polling stations were set up. TRICOLOUR IN THE SKY A crowd witnesses the Indian Air Force fighter jets forming a tricolour during the rehearsal of an air show ahead of Indian Air Force (IAF) Day, at Marina Beach in Chennai on Sunday. n ANI