HYDERABAD l Tuesday l march 18, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 16 l LATE CITY EDITION Cheetah Gamini can now be spotted by tourists in safari South African cheetah Gamini and her 4 cubs were released into the wild in the Khajuri forest area at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh on Monday 17 big cats now released into the wild Their release raised the number of cheetahs in the wild to 17. Nine others are still in the enclosures. On February 21, cheetah Jwala and her four cubs were released into the wild in KNP. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav hailed the development as an important day in the cheetah project and wildlife conservation ■ 26 Project going strong for over 2 years ■ PM Modi initiated the translocation project with eight cheetahs brought from Namibia released into KNP in September 2022. This marked the first-ever intercontinental translocation of the big cats Gamini gave birth to six cubs in her first litter on March 10, 2024, officials said. Two of the cubs, however, died in subsequent months Cheetahs in KNP now, including 14 cubs born on Indian soil CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI T Harish Rao, BRS MLA n Plans to meet Rahul Gandhi to raise issue in Parliament E x p r e s s Ne w s Se r v i c e Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon in New Delhi | Shekhar Yadav Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during a meeting with USA’s Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard | PTI ‘Rein in anti-India Gabbard urged to elements in NZ’ ban Pannun’s SFJ J AYANTH J ACOB @ New Delhi M AYAN K SIN G H @ New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday raised the issue of pro-Khalistan elements freely carrying out anti-India activities in New Zealand during his bilateral meeting with the Pacific island nation’s PM Christopher Luxon. Modi called for strict action against those guilty of terrorist attacks. “We will continue to cooperate together against terrorist, separatist and radical elements,” he said. Separately, the Ministry of External Affairs said the issue of Khalistan supporters getting space in New Zealand was discussed between the two leaders. “This was an issue that came up. We do alert our friends to the activities of anti-India elements in their countries and their abuse of freedom of speech and other democratic freedoms to glorify terrorism, and to threaten attacks against our diplomats or our parliament or our events in India. So these were also conWe have shared our concerns veyed,” said Jaideep Mazumabout anti-India dar, secretary (east) in the activities by Ministry of External Affairs, certain illegal adding New Zealand was reelements in New ceptive to India’s concerns. Zealand. We’re India has been flagging varconfident we will ious pro-Khalistan activities, receive the full including the so-called ‘refer- cooperation of the endum’ for an independent New Zealand govt Sikh homeland organised by Narendra Modi the pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs for Justice, permitted by New Zealand authorities under the guise of ‘freedom of speech’. Modi and Luxon held wide-ranging talks with a focus on ramping up overall bilateral ties. The two sides also inked six pacts to firm up defence and security ties, and cooperation in education, sports, agriculture and climate change. India and New Zealand have also decided to start negotiations for a free trade pact. “This shall increase the potential for bilateral trade and investment. Mutual cooperation and investment shall be encouraged in fields such as dairy , food processing, and pharma,” Modi said. New Zealand is keen to have greater access to India’s lucrative dairy market, which has been traditionally protected to support farmers. Luxon arrived in Delhi on Sunday on a fiveday visit to explore ways to deepen ties. DEFENCE Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday conveyed to US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, India’s concerns over activities of Khalistani separatist group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), on American soil and urged her to declare it as a designated terrorist entity sources said. , In an over 30-minute meeting at his office in the Raisina Hills, Singh apprised Gabbard about SFJ’s alleged links with Pakistani spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) as well as its “collaboration” with the Babbar Khalsa terrorist group, and pressed for action against it, sources said. Singh flagged concerns over the SFJ, headed by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, vandalising various Hindu religious structures in the US and said such radicalism must be stopped, the sources added. The SFJ is a banned organisation in India. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is wanted by Drawing from the joint statement Indian probe agencies on varissued after the ious terror charges. recent ModiDuring the discussion, both Trump meeting, countries also explored avethe discussions nues for collaboration in cutreaffirmed the ting-edge defence innovation growing strength and niche technologies. of the India-US In a statement, the Ministry bilateral defence of Defence said, “Drawing partnership from the joint statement issued Ministry of Defence after the recent meeting of PM Narendra Modi with US President Donald Trump, the discussions reaffirmed the growing strength of the India-US bilateral defence partnership.” Both leaders emphasised that strategic security remains a vital pillar of the comprehensive global strategic cooperation between the two nations. “Rajnath and Gabbard reviewed the significant strides made in the areas of military exercises, strategic cooperation, integration of defence industrial supply chains and information-sharing cooperation, especially in the maritime domain, between India and the US,” the MoD added. The two leaders addressed key areas such as enhancing interoperability and fostering greater integration of defence industrial supply chains to bolster resilience and innovation. E x p r e s s Re a d TTD to allow TG MLAs’ recommendation letters for darshan from Mar 24 Tirumala: The TTD has decided to permit darshan recommendation letters from Telangana MLAs starting March 24. According to sources, Telangana MLAs’ recommendation letters will be accepted for VIP break darshan on Mondays and Tuesdays, while on Wednesdays and Thursdays, they will be valid for `300 Seeghra Darshan | p5 colonel and son assaulted by Punjab cops Following outrage, Punjab Police on Monday suspended twelve policemen, including three inspectors, and ordered a departmental probe against them | P8 @ Hyderabad The state Legislative Assembly unanimously passed two Bills — the Telangana Backward Classes (Reservation of Seats in Rural and Urban Local Bodies) Bill, 2025, and the Telangana Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in the Services Under the State) Bill, 2025 — to enhance reservations for backward classes (BCs) to 42%. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy called for amending the Constitution if necessary to implement the enhanced reserva- tions. He also announced that he would lead an all-party delegation — comprising leaders from the Congress, BRS, BJP, AIMIM and CPI — to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to push for the cause. In an open letter, Revanth sought an appointment to meet the prime minister and solicit support from the Union government in providing 42% reservations to BCs in education, employment and local body elections. Urging Opposition leaders to support the bid, he said, “As the leader of the House, I will lead the movement to secure 42% reservations for BCs in education, employment, and politics. I give my word to the BC community that I will work with all parties to achieve this. I BJP, BRS skip meet PROHIBITORY orders under Section 163 of BNSS were clamped in Manipur’s Kuki-dominated Churachandpur district following a senior Kuki-Zo leader’s assault. Richard Hmar, general secretary of Hmar Inpui and a member of Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), was assaulted by unknown miscreants on Sunday inside the campus of VK Montessori School in Zenhang. Hmar is currently undergoing medical treatment due to excessive bleeding and injuries. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) empowers district magistrates to issue preventive orders in urgent cases of public nuisance or apprehended danger to prevent harm to individuals or public safety . Authorities clamped prohibitory n Urges BRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao to support the demand 67% 77% Total reservations Grand total (including EWS) SC subcategorisation n Bill to sub-categorise 59 SC communities into three groups was introduced in the Assembly on Monday n CM said the Assembly will pass it on Tuesday tELUGU UNIVERSITY renamed The Legislative Assembly on Monday passed the Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University (Amendment) Bill, 2025, renaming the varsity after Suravaram Pratapa Reddy, a prominent freedom fighter | p4 CM launches Rajiv Yuva Vikasam, Consensus against slams BRS for ‘fiscal irresponsibility’ delimitation on basis of population E x p r e s s Ne w s Se r v i c e @ Hyderabad Opposition to population-based delimitation emerged as the dominant stance at an all-party meeting convened in the Assembly Committee Hall on Monday Chaired by . Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and former minister K Jana Reddy , the session aimed to collate cross-party perspectives on the contentious delimitation process. However, sources said the state government refrained from presenting concrete proposals during the discussions. While AIMIM, CPI, CPM and other parties attended the meeting, BRS and BJP were absent. BJP Legislative Party leader Aletti Maheshwar Reddy claimed their MLAs “received no invitation or instructions” to attend. Meanwhile, BRS working president KT Rama Rao said the government provided “no clear agenda” in the invitations. “If the government itself lacks clarity what is the , point of collecting opinions?” he asked. Stating that southern states should play a key role in shaping the government at the Centre, Vikramarka called for unity among all parties to oppose the delimitation and announced plans to draft an action plan after consulting all parties. Continued on P4 Manipur tense after assault of Kuki-Zo leader, prohibitory orders out P r a s a n ta M a z u m d a r @ Guwahati request Leader of the Opposition K Chandrasekhar Rao to join us in taking this demand to the prime minister.” He directed the chief secretary to send copies of the passed Bills to BJP leaders, including Union minister G Kishan Reddy , to expedite the meeting. He stressed that Parliament should take up the proposed legislation in the ongoing session. The chief minister also said he would arrange a meeting with Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to raise the issue in Parliament.  Continued on P4 n Seeks appointment through open letter - Existing Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) reservation: 10% TG Assembly passes landmark Bills to hike BC reservations to 42% n Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to lead an all-party delegation to meet PM Modi to push for a constitutional amendment if required Scheduled Tribes (STs): 10% Payal Shankar, deputy floor leader of BJP What now? Scheduled Castes (SCs): 15% Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy addresses the Assembly in Hyderabad on Monday Rahul should apply pressure on Centre to ensure legal protection for the Bill in Parliament. The BC community will be truly happy only when they receive the full benefits of 42% reservation in education, employment and local governance Backward Classes (BCs): 42% A Revanth Reddy, chief minister The state government must be cautious and address technical challenges to avoid legal hurdles. The Telangana High Court had earlier struck down the 4% reservation for Muslims, and the matter is pending in Supreme Court Reservation breakdown if the Bill is enacted Govt turns the screws on Khalistani radicals As the leader of the House, I will lead the movement to secure 42% quota for BCs in education, employment and politics. I give my word to BCs that I will work with all parties to achieve this Ethnic violence case moved to Guwahati The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that the trial of the Manipur ethnic violence cases, probed by the CBI, will take place in Guwahati, Assam, where they were transferred to earlier. The court has instructed the Chief Justice of the Guwahati High Court to assign judicial officers to manage these cases orders following reports from the Churachandpur SP. Unauthorised processions or unlawful assemblies of five or more persons were banned, as well as carrying of arms or objects which can be used as lifethreatening weapons. District magistrate Dharun Kumar S said, “…Our attention has been drawn to incidents where disputes are escalating in some areas, leading to unrest that threatens the peaceful co-existence of our citizens.” Throughout the day protest, ers attempted to enforce a shutdown, urging shops to close immediately. Groups of men patrolled the streets with sticks, while clashes between the Hmar and Zomi communities led to stone pelting in multiple areas of the district headquarters. Personnel of the Central security forces intervened, firing gunshots in the air to disperse mobs, officials said. The Hmar Inpui said the victim was caught by a group of men on his way home, blind-folded and beaten up even after he had revealed his identity The organisation asked the . perpetrators to give in or face consequences. TG has lowest inflation in india: Revanth The chief minister noted that Telangana had topped the GST collection charts with an 87% tax collection rate and had successfully controlled inflation at 1.3%, the lowest in the country. Revanth further pointed out that the unemployment rate in the state had declined from 8.8% to 6.1%. E x p r e ss Ne ws Se r v i c e @ Hyderabad Blaming the BRS for the state government’s economic situation, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said the financial assessment had gone awry capital , revenue had declined and debts had increased. However, he asserted that the Congress government remained unfazed and was committed to keeping people informed about the actual financial situation. He made these remarks while launching the Rajiv Yuva Vikasam scheme — part of the Congress’s six guarantees — at the Legislative Assembly on Monday . “The assessment differed from the revenue collected and the state’s debt. Why should the government lie when people are already experiencing financial constraints?” the chief minister asked, accusing the previous BRS government of mismanaging the state’s finances by failing to collect taxes and not curbing extravagance. His statements assume significance as the state government is set to present the Annual Financial Statement for 2025–26 on March 19. He also said he had doubled the state’s daily income from `1.5 crore to `3 crore through sand trade.  Continued on P4