MONDAY 07 OCTOBER 2024 www.thestatesman.com INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘EAM’S ISLAMABAD VISIT COULD IMPROVE INDO-PAK RELATIONS’ TRUMP RETURNS TO SCENE OF PENNSYLVANIA ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT P9 WEATHER Thunderstorms. Storms could contain frequent lightning. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 32°C and 26°C respectively. RBI MPC LIKELY TO MAINTAIN STATUS QUO ON POLICY RATES: EXPERTS P5 P8 CM asks police to invoke POCSO in Joynagar case INDIA REGISTER 6-WICKET WIN OVER PAK IN WOMEN’S T20 WC P12 UN like an old company, occupying space in market, says EAM Jaishankar AGENCIES RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Advocates capital punishment for culprits involved in alleged rape and murder of minor NEW DELHI, 6 OCTOBER Max. 90% STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 6 OCTOBER External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Sunday stated that the United Nations (UN) is like an "old company" that is "occupying space in the market" without adapting to the changing global landscape. Speaking at the Kautilya Economic Conclave, Mr Jaishankar stressed that the UN has failed to keep pace with the world, forcing countries to find alternative ways to address pressing global challenges. “Since this is an economic conclave, let me give you a businesslike answer. The UN, in a way, is like an old company, not entirely keeping up with the market but occupying the space. And, when it's behind times in this world, you have startups and innovation. So, different people start doing their own things," Mr Jaishankar said. He explained that while countries would prefer the UN to lead global initiatives when it fails to address key issues, they are left to create their own mechanisms. "There is a UN at the end of the day, however, suboptimal it is in functioning, it's still the only multilateral game in town. But when it doesn't step Min. 80% TEMPERATURE Max: 32.6˚C SUN RISES 05:30 hrs MOON RISES 09:12 hrs Min: 26.5˚C SUN SETS 17:18 hrs MOON SETS 20:01 hrs Calcutta High Court orders AIIMS forensic experts to conduct post-mortem C Full Moon on 17 October 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. hief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday asked police to register a case under the POCSO Act in the alleged rapemurder 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 KOLKATA, 6 OCTOBER 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. Miss Banerjee also observed: “When one or two incidents occur, there is often a lot of noise and chaos in Bengal. This is necessary; everyone has the right to express their views. However, when incidents happen in other places, people keep quiet and don’t protest.” Miss Banerjee also expressed her strong dis- pleasure regarding fake videos and cybercrime, and said she was entrusting the ‘great’ responsibility of identifying and exposing fake videos to the women of the state. She said: “In today’s world, AI has emerged. You will see my picture, my body, hear my speech, but that is not me. It’s fake. That’s what AI is. Now, cybercrime is increasing, and those committing cybercrimes often receive support.” She added: “Whenever you see such misleading videos, I am assigning this responsibility to women because men don’t have time. Write ‘fake’ on that image first, whether it’s Facebook or Twitter, and then send it to the police. You can do it. Women, unite!” Calcutta High Court, in a specially convened hearing on Sunday, has ordered a second post mortem of the body of the school girl who was alleged 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 questioned why the POCSO Act had not been applied despite the allegation of sexual assault. Justice Ghosh was hearing the matter on an emergency basis fol- Maldives President arrives India dedicated to advancing and in Delhi for talks with Modi global peace, unityPM Modi brotherhood, says 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 him 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. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 6 OCTOBER Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday acknowledged the rise of new conflicts that threaten the socio-economic 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 endeavors 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 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. If PM Modi gives free electricity in BJP-ruled states, will campaign for their 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). lowing 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 9year-old girl, who had gone missing the previous day, with allegations of sexual assault being raised. SNS (Details on page 3) up on key issues, countries figure out their own ways of doing it," Mr Jaishankar added. Reflecting on the UN's role during the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Jaishankar highlighted its limited contribution, stating, "Probably the biggest thing which happened in our life was Covid. Think about what the UN do on Covid, and I think the answer is not very much". He also addressed the UN's inaction on major global conflicts, specifically the Russia-Ukraine war and the ongoing Middle East crisis. “Two very serious conflicts are going on in the world. Where is the UN on them? Essentially a bystander. So what is happening is that as you saw even during Covid, countries either did their own thing or you had an initiative like Covax, which was done by a group of countries,” Mr Jaishankar remarked. Haryana sees 67.90 pc polling, says Chief Electoral Officer: 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. 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. Giving information, he said that 67.62 per cent voting has taken place in Ambala district, while 65.23 per cent voting was recorded in Panchkula district, 74.20 per cent in Yamunanagar district, 69.59 per cent in Kurukshetra district, 72.36 per cent in Kaithal district, 65.67 per cent in Karnal district, 68.80 per cent in Panipat district, 66.08 per cent in Sonipat district, 72.19 per cent in Jind district and 74.77 per cent in Fatehabad district.