MONDAY 101 PEOPLE 17 INJURED IN THE STRIKES, MOSTLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN MARCH, 2025 FAVOURED HOUTHI SPOTS TARGETED epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard Residents in Sanaa said the strikes hit a building in a Houthi stronghold and “shook the neighbourhood like an earthquake”. X.com/TheMornStandard MACEDONIA 59 KILLED, 155 HURT IN NIGHTCLUB FIRE A massive fire tore through an overcrowded nightclub in North Macedonia on Sunday as authorities in the small Balkan country detained 15 people. PAGE 9 A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS  NEW DELHI  J8.00  Strikes also targeted Houthi military sites in Yemen’s southwest city of Taiz, and a power station in the town of Dahya, where Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the Houthi leader, often meets his visitors PAGES 12 E X P R E SS N E WS S E R V I C E @ New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a podcast with Lex Fridman, in New Delhi | PTI ON the morning of March 14, US federal immigration agents arrived at the Columbia University apartment of Indian student Ranjani Srinivasan to detain her. She had recently found out from the US Consulate in Chennai that her student visa had been revoked by the US State Department. The 37-year-old Srinivasan, a Fulbright scholar pursuing a doctoral degree in urban planning, wasn’t home. The agents didn’t stop coming. The following night, they returned. By then Srinivasan knew what could be in store for her. “The atmosphere felt so volatile and dangerous,” Srinivasan told The New York Times in her first interview since fleeing. “I just made a quick decision.” She packed a few belongings, left her cat with a friend, and caught a flight to Canada from LaGuardia Airport. Her roommate was left to bear the brunt of the pressure, as immigration agents persisted in their search for Srinivasan. Hours later, Mahmoud Khalil, another Columbia student, PIC: X Fearing for life Fearing for life, Ranjani Srinivasan says she had been blindsided by the entire turn of events. “I’m fearful that even the most low-level political speech ... can turn into this dystopian nightmare where somebody is calling you a terrorist sympathiser and making you, literally, fear for your life and safety” Pak’s terrorist mindset hurting Dust-free Ring Road soon as peace, says Modi Islamabad must mend ways; disputes with China being worked out; Trump 2.0 stronger @ New Delhi EVERY noble attempt by India for peace with Pakistan was met with hostility and betrayal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in an interview with American computer scientist and podcaster Lex Fridman, broadcast on Sunday. “We sincerely hope that wisdom prevails upon them and they choose the path of peace,” Modi said in his three-hour podcast. “Wherever ter ror strikes in the world, the trail somehow leads to Pakistan,” he said, citing the example of the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center in 2001. Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the attack, took refuge in Pakistan, he pointed out. Calling out Pakistan’s ‘terrorist mindset’, he said: “Today it stands as an epi, centre of turmoil not just for India but for the world.” Modi recalled how he had specially invited the then Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif for his swearing-in ceremony in 2014 with the hope that the two countries could turn a new leaf. “Yet, every no- US President Donald Trump launched a large-scale military strike against Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis on Saturday, killing at least 31 people BIGGEST U.S. MILITARY OPERATION SINCE JAN The strike was in response to the group’s attacks against Red Sea shipping. The unfolding strikes—which one US official told Reuters might continue for weeks—represent the biggest US military operation in West Asia since Trump took office in January. The Houthis’ political bureau described the attacks as a “war crime” | P9 Atmosphere felt volatile, dangerous... took a quick call: Srinivasan What kind of ideology thrives on bloodshed and the export of terror? We are not the sole victims. Wherever terror strikes in the world, the trail somehow leads to Pakistan EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE TRUMP LAUNCHES RETALIATORY STRIKES ON YEMEN’S HOUTHIS ble attempt at fostering peace was met with hostility and betrayal,” he said. On India’s relations with China, he said differences are natural between two neighbouring countries. “But our focus is to ensure that these differences don’ t tur n into disputes,” he said, adding that India prefers dialogue to sort out differences. Acknowledging the border dispute with China, he said efforts are on to address them through dialogue and consultation. “Slowly but surely, trust should return,” he added. Cooperation between India and China is beneficial not just for the two countries but also for global stability and prosperity, Modi noted. “Since the 21st century is Asia’s century we want India , and China to compete in a healthy way Competition is not . a bad thing, but it shouldn’t turn into conflict,” he said. When asked about his views on US President Trump, Modi said in the second term, Trump seems “far more prepared than before”, adding that he has a clear roadmap in his mind with well-defined steps. P7 was arrested from his apartment, sending shockwaves throughout the university . The US De par tment of Homeland Security (DHS) said Srinivasan had voluntarily self-deported through the Customs and Border Protection Home App. In a statement, the DHS called Srinivasan a “terrorist sympathiser,” accusing her of supporting violence by backing Hamas. However, t h e s e a c c u s a t i o n s h ave been firmly denied by Srinivasan’s legal team. Srinivasan’s ordeal is part of drive against pollution begins A N U P V E R M A @ New Delhi WITH pollution being one of the most pressing problems in the national capital, the Delhi government has launched a comprehensive campaign and planned to take measures like making the entire Ring Road dust-free, planting trees along roads, dividers and reducing traffic congestion on nearly 250 roads. All concerned departments have been directed to implement the steps. The government is committed to scientific and sustainable measures to improve air quality in the city CM Rekha Gupta , said after launching the campaign on Sunday . “Goal of clean and pollutionfree city will be achieved through green corridor development, traffic management and improved public transport. The Delhi government is working closely with the Centre, various agencies, and the public to implement pollution control measures,” Gupta said. As part of the campaign, the entire Ring Road will be made dust-free through mechanised sweeping and use of sprinklers, officials said. Strict enforcement of measures at construction sites will be ensured, they said, adding that a drive to MCD, PWD, NDMC and DDA asked to repair central verges and plant trees along the roads, submit weekly reports on repairs and cleanliness PUSH FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT Real-time monitoring of public buses and implementation of route rationalisation plan Strict check of pollution check measures at construction sites will be ensured TRAFFIC COPS TOLD TO REMOVE CONGESTION ON 250 ROADS STRICT PUC CHECKS Deployment of sprinklers and smog guns round the year check vehicular pollution would be launched soon. As many as 250 major areas where traffic jam is rampant have been identified and all concerned departments have been instructed to identify the causes of traffic snarls with the help from cops, officials said. Rationalisation of DTC bus routes are being done to enhance public transport system, officials said, adding a control room is being set up for realtime monitoring of public buses. The aim is to reduce dependence on private vehicles and lower pollution, officials said. It has been decided to step up enforcements on border areas and deployment of sprinklers and smog guns throughout the year, except during the monsoon season. MCD, PWD and DDA have been asked to submit weekly reports on road repairs. Mangled remains of the vehicle that was attacked in Balochistan | X Hafiz Saeed’s close aide shot dead in Pakistan H A R P R E E T B A J W A @ Chandigarh 5 killed in Balochistan A top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander, wanted by Indian security agencies for several deadly terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, was killed by gunmen in Pakistan, officials said on Sunday . Zia-ur-Rehman alias Abu Qatal was gunned down in the Jhelum area of Punjab on Saturday evening. His security guard was also killed. Considered the lead handler of LeT founder and 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed, 43-year-old Rehman led the terror outfit’s strategy in planning a string of attacks in Poonch-Rajouri of J&K. Rehman was the architect behind Dhangri attack of 2023, in which seven people were killed; the Reasi bus at- Five people, including three Frontier Corps personnel, were killed and 30 injured after a paramilitary convoy was attacked by Baloch militants in Noshki district of Balochistan. P9 Come April, BJP likely to clinch mayor post in MCD A N U P V E R M A @ New Delhi THE AAP ended 15 years of BJP’s rule in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in December 2022. In February 2023, Shelly Oberoi became the first mayor from the party and Mahesh Khichi was elected second mayor in November 2024. However, there is strong possibility that the Opposition BJP in the MCD House may win mayoral election scheduled in April this year. The number is in favour of the BJP as it has 131 votes while the majority mark is 132-133. The ruling AAP has 122 votes and it can reach the majority mark only if the Congress and an independent councillor extend their support to the party . After its victory in the recent Assembly elections, senior BJP leaders, including CM Rekha FACTORS IN FAVOUR NO ANTI-DEFECTION LAW IN HOUSE Several AAP councillors are ready to switch sides as there is no anti-defection law in the civic agency, claim BJP leaders. The challenge before AAP is to stop its councillors from quitting, especially after its defeat in Assembly elections 14 MLAs to be nominated The Speaker will nominate 14 MLAs. Last time, AAP had clear edge as the Speaker elected 13 MLAs from the party and one from BJP. This time, 10 MLAs will be from BJP and 4 from AAP. An increase of 10 MLAs is likely to boost the BJP’s prospect What would be Maliwal move? There is no clarity that the disgruntled AAP Rajya Sabha MP will either vote for BJP or abstain. Either way it will be a setback for AAP Gupta and Delhi unit chief, said that the party will soon have triple-engine government in the national capital as it is set to win mayoral election. Factors such as absence of Congress move The eight councillors will play crucial role. If Congress supports AAP, Kejriwal’s party will have total 130 votes — still short of BJP’s number. If Congress councillors do not take part in voting, the majority mark will be reduced to 128-129. In that scenario, it will be a cakewalk for BJP to get its mayor elected despite losing the MCD elections anti-defection law, nomination of MLAs by the Assembly Speaker, AAP MP Swati Maliwal’s strident opposition to Arvind Kejriwal’s party rift be, tween INDIA bloc allies Con- gress and AAP indicate that the BJP is likely to snatch the civic body from the AAP . There are 250 wards in the MCD, of which 12 are vacant as 11 (BJP 7 & AAP 4) councillors were elected as MLAs while a councillor (BJP’s Kamaljeet Sehrawat) won the Lok Sabha election in June last year. Since election for the vacant seats will he held after mayoral polls, the current strength of councillors remains at 238. Also, 14 legislators, to be nominated by the Speaker, will have voting rights and 10 MPs (Lok Sabha 7 and Rajya Sabha 3) will participate in the mayor election. As far as the current number is concerned, the BJP has 113 councillors, AAP 116, Congress 8 and 1 independent. After the 2022 MCD election, the AAP had 134 councillors, BJP 104, Congress 9 and 3 independents. Will the 100-day action plan succeed in decongesting city roads by introducing flyovers, tunnels and diversions at key junctions as Delhiites desperately await solutions to their daily troubles? | P4 I F R A H M U F T I @ New Delhi IN a first-of-its-kind initiative in the entire South Asia Pacific region, the Delhi Metro has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with private logistics service provider Blue Dart to transport cargo during non-peak hours. “By integrating first-mile and last-mile connectivity through metro-enabled logistics solutions and Micro Parcel Hubs, the project enhances supply chain efficiency while alleviating road congestion and urban pollution. Under this initiative, DMRC is leveraging its stations and tracks to establish a sustainable urban freight network across Delhi-NCR,” Optimising resources The initiative is the first of its kind in South Asia Pacific region Under the collaboration, Blue Dart will transport cargo via metro trains during non-peak hrs Will reduce dependency on road transport, thus easing congestion and curbing vehicular emissions tack on June 9, 2024, in which nine pilgrims were killed and over 50 injured; and the Bhatta-Durian attack on April 20, 2023, in which five Army personnel were killed. Born on February 4, 1982, in Sindh province, Pakistan, Rehman was in charge of LeT’s Khuiratta dets (small groups of terrorists ready to infiltrate) in Kotli district of PoK. “He was the main link between the LeT terrorists and their operators in PoK and Sindh province,” said sources M’luru cops bust K’taka’s biggest drug cartel, 2 held V I N C E N T D ’ S O U Z A @ Mangaluru ‘GUNPOWDER HOLI’ People fire muskets as they celebrate ‘Gunpowder Holi’ at Menar village in Rajasthan’s Udaipur district. The tradition traces its origin to a historic battle where Menar warriors, following victory over the enemy, celebrated with fire and gunpowder | PTI MoU signed, urban freight services on DMRC network soon CAPITAL SEEKS SOLUTION TO TRAFFIC GRIDLOCK a larger crackdown under the Donald Trump administration aimed at pro-Palestinian demonstrators. She is one of several non-citizens at Columbia University who have found themselves targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in recent days. Over the past week, Srinivasan has struggled to come to terms with the sudden revocation of her visa and Columbia’s subsequent decision to withdraw her enrollment as a result of her legal status being terminated. She had been blindsided by the entire turn of events. DMRC Principal Executive Director Anuj Dayal said. The DMRC plans to expand the cargo network to additional metro stations, setting benchmarks in sustainable and seamless freight transportation, Dayal added. Metro systems across the globe are increasingly exploring ways to utilise spare capac- ity to generate revenue while promoting sustainability . “Madrid Metro has initiated a pilot project in collaboration with logistic partners to transport parcels via metro trains, thereby reducing road traffic and pollution. DMRC is engaging with Madrid Metro in urban freight transportation,” a senior DMRC official said. IN the biggest drug haul ever by Karnataka police, 37.87 kg of banned MDMA worth `75 crore was seized by Mangaluru City Police in Bengaluru. Two South African nationals — Bamba Fanta, 31, and Abigali Adonis, 30 — were arrested. The two were intercepted at Neeladrinagar near Electronics City in Bengaluru when they were allegedly on their way to supply the drugs to peddlers. Both were staying illegally in the country, police said. Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal said the two women used to travel from Delhi to Bengaluru on late-night flights with the drugs packed in trolley bags, and deliver it to peddlers in Nelamangala, KR Puram, Whitefield, Hoskote, Electronics City, and other places through cabs during early morning, and return. It is suspected that they were either procuring the drugs from outside India or somewhere near Delhi. Agrawal said that the operation stemmed from the arrest of a Nigerian six months ago. He was arrested in Bengaluru with MDMA worth `6 crore. CM Siddaramaiah praised cops for “preventing a major threat to the life of youth”. P8