THURSDAY 19 JANUARY 2023 Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC www.thestatesman.com KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘MODI GOVT DOESN’T MAKE POLICIES TO PLEASE PEOPLE’ ‘LG ACTING LIKE TRIBAL CHIEFTAIN’ P2 WEATHER PARTLY CLOUDY SKY. MIST/SHALLOW FOG IN THE MORNING.POSSIBILITY OF VERY LIGHT RAIN/DRIZZLE TOWARDS NIGHT. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 21 AND 05 DEGREES CELCIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 97 % TEMPERATURE Max: 19.6°C (0) SUN RISES 07:14 hrs MOON RISES 05:46 hrs P5 P10 Tripura to vote on 16 Feb, Meghalaya, Nagaland on 27th, results on 2 March Min: 2.6°C (-5) SUN SETS 17:50 hrs MOON SETS 14:56 hrs STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 18 JANUARY A People carry the mortal remains of Eighth Nizam Mukarram Jah Bahadur for the last rites, at Makkah Masjid, in the old city of Hyderabad on Wednesday.  ANI Ukraine interior minister killed in copter crash: Ukraine’s interior minister died on Wednesday in a helicopter crash near the capital that killed more than a dozen other people, including children, authorities said. Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyi, who oversaw Ukraine’s police and emergency services, is the most senior official to die since Russia invaded nearly 11 months ago. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said that 17 people were killed in the PG10 crash. Modi to hold review meeting of state DGPs NEW DELHI, 18 JANUARY Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a review meeting of Directors General of Police (DGPs) of all states between January 2022, where the focus is likely to be on measures to curb threats emanating from cross -border terrorism and arms smuggling, improving internal security, ensuring greater coordination between Centre and state police forces, as well as modernisation of the forces through greater usage of technology. The meeting is also likely to discuss measures for combating extremism in Jammu and Kashmir, terrorist outfits in the northeast, and curbing Left-Wing Extremism, highly-placed sources said.The three-day meeting would be presided over by Modi at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) Pusa campus here. DGPs of all the states are expected to be present in the meeting, sources said, where top police officials are likely to make presentations before the Prime Minister on the law and order situations prevailing in their SNS respective states. ssembly elections will be held in the north-eastern States of Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland in February-March and results for the three States will be declared on 2 March, the Election Commission announced today. “Voting for Assembly elections in Tripura will be held in a single phase on February 16 and in Nagaland and Meghalaya on February 27. The results will be declared on March 2,” Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar told a Press conference(in photo). “The terms of Assemblies of the respective states in Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura are respectively due to expire on March 12, 15, and 22. The three states have 60 Assembly constituencies each,” the CEC said. The Commission, after considering all relevant aspects has decided to recommend to the Governors of the States of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura to issue notifications for the General Election under the relevant provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The Commission has prepared the poll schedules after taking into consideration all relevant aspects like climatic conditions, academic calendar, board examination, major festivals, and prevailing law and order situation in the States, along with factors like the availability of Central Armed Police Forces and time needed for movement.Detailing the number of voters in the poll-bound states, Mr Kumar said: “There are more than 62.8 lakh electors combined in Nagaland, Meghalaya & Tripura including - 31.47 lakh female electors, 97,000 80-years plus voters, and 31,700 persons with disabilities voters. Over 1.76 lakh first-time voters will participate in the elections in the three states.” He said that there will be some polling stations man- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 18 JANUARY aged completely by PwDs and women staff. Women will be in command in 376 polling stations across Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura. Noting that the three states have “terrain-related challenges”, Mr Kumar reiterated the ECI's commitment in conducting free and fair polls. “The three states have terrain-related challenges, but the Commission is committed to ensuring free and fair, participative, accessible and ethical elections in these three states,” he said.The CEC said that officials from the Commission recently visited the three states and met State officials regarding the poll preparations and directed them to maintain “zero tolerance” for any kind of violence during the elections. “We recently visited these three states from January 11 to 15, and met all the district collectors, SPs, DGs and all the enforcement agencies. There are only 23 states of the entire country in which pre-poll, during the poll or post-poll violence is (seen),” he said.He said there was no violence in the last 12 elections. The State officials were told there should be zero tolerance for any kind of violence during the elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the second phase of Saansad Khel Mahakumbh 2022-23 being held in Uttar Pradesh’s Basti district, via video conferencing. The sports event, organised by Basti MP Harish Dwivedi, will continue till 28 January. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath was present at the inauguration. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said: “Sports is skill and character, it is talent and resolve.” He noted that around 200 Parliamentarians have organised such Khel Mahakumbhs in their constituencies. Appreciating the scale of the Khel Mahakumbh, he expressed hope that India’s traditional expertise in sports will get new wings through such events. As Member of Parliament from Kashi, Mr Modi said that such events are being organised in Varanasi also. “By organising such events, MPs are shaping the future of the new generation,”he said. ‘SIMI supports Jihad’: Vinesh Phogat accuses WFI Centre justifies ban chief of sexual harassment STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 18 JANUARY The Centre on Wednesdaydefended its decision to ban the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), contending that it operates contrary to the laws of the laws and mobilises students and youth for propagation of Islamic rule and support for Jihad.The Centre in its affidavit filed today in the apex court has said that an organisation that aims to establish Islamic rule cannot be permitted to operate in a secular society. “...any constitution which prescribes such an Oath of Allegiance to its members must be seen as in direct conflict with the democratic sovereign setup of India and should not be allowed to be perpetuated in our secular society,” the Centre said in its affidavit. Asserting that the activities and the character of SIMI is capable of undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, the Centre’s affidavit says, “the evidence brought on record clearly and unambiguously establishes that despite being banned since 27th Septem- The Centre in its affidavit filed on Wednesday in the apex court has said that an organisation that aims to establish Islamic rule cannot be permitted to operate in a secular society ber, 2001, except for a brief period in between, the SIMI activists are associating, meeting, conspiring, acquiring arms & ammunitions, and indulging in activities which are disruptive in character and capable of threatening the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India. They are in regular touch with their associates and masters based in other countries. Their actions are capable of disrupting peace and communal harmony in the country.” Stating that the SIMI leaders are in regular touch with their overseas associates and masters, the affidavit says that SIMI’s actions are capable of disrupting peace and communal harmony in the country and their stated objectives are contrary to the laws of our country, particularly their object of establishing Islamic rule in India. SNS & AGENCIES PM Narendra Modi addressing the inauguration of the second phase of Saansad Khel Mahakumbh 202223, in Basti, Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday.  ANI The Prime Minister said through these games, performing athletes are being picked up for further training under the Sports Authority of India. Mr Modi expressed happiness that about 40,000 athletes, three times more than the last year, are participating in the Khel Mahakumbh. Highlighting the key aspect of girls' participation in the Saansad Khel Mahakumbh, the Prime Minister expressed the belief that the daughters of Basti, Purvanchal, Uttar Pradesh and all over India will showcase their talent and skills on a global stage. Recalling the Women’s U-19 T20 Cricket World Cup, the Prime Minister highlighted the splendid achievement of the team captain Ms Shefali Verma who scored five consecutive boundaries and hit a six on the last ball, thereby accumulating 26 runs in one over. He remarked that such talent is available in every nook and corner of the country and the Saansad Khel Mahakumbh plays a key role in scouting and harnessing it. Through Khelo India financial assistance of Rs 50,000 per month is also being provided to 2,500 athletes. About 500 Olympics probables are being groomed under Target Olympics Podium Scheme. Keeping in mind the need for international training, some players have received assistance from Rs 2.5 crores to Rs 7 crore. BREAKING RECORDS Coaches are harassing women and some coaches, who are favourites of the Federation, misbehave with women coaches as well. They sexually harass girls. The WFI president has sexually harassed many girls NEW DELHI, 18 JANUARY Indian wrestler and Commonwealth Games medalist Vinesh Phogat on Wednesday alleged that coaches who are favourites of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) misbehave with women and harass them. She also accused the wrestling federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually harassing girls and calling her a 'khota sikka' after her defeat at Tokyo Olympics 2020. On the sidelines of a sitin protest against the WFI near Delhi’s Jantar Mantar (in photot), Phogat said, “Coaches are harassing women and some coaches, who are favourites of the Federation, misbehave with women coaches as well. They sexually harass girls. The WFI president has sexually harassed many girls.” “After my defeat in the Tokyo Olympics, WFI president called me a 'khota sikka'. The Federation mentally tortured me. I would entertain thoughts of ending my life every day. If anything happens to any wrestler, the WFI president will be to blame,” she added.The protesting wrestlers further accused the WFI of interfer- P12 Sports is skill & character: PM inaugurates Basti Khel Mahakumbh 2022-23 in UP EC announces election dates for 3 N-E states Min. 34 % THUMBNAILS NADAL SUFFERS HUGE UPSET AGAINST MCDONALD IN 2ND ROUND AT DAVOS, UN CHIEF WARNS THE WORLD IS IN A ‘SORRY STATE’ VINESH PHOGAT ing with their personal lives and exploiting them. “When we went to the Olympics, we did not have physio or a coach. After we started raising our voices, we were threatened,” added another wrestler.Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia said the wrestlers want the management of the Federation to be sacked and replaced.“We hope PM (Narendra Modi) and home minister (Amit Shah) will support us in our quest,” added Punia. Olympians Bajrang Punia, Sakshee Malikkh and Vinesh Phogat led the protest at Jantar Mantar against the WFI, alleging “harassment of wrestlers by the WFI through its arbitrary rules and regulations”.A 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Bajrang Punia said the wrestlers will not tolerate the ongoing dictatorship of the Federation.The first Indian woman wrestler to win a gold medal at both the Asian and Commonwealth Games, Vinesh Phogat, expressed her displeasure with the Federation's management on Twitterand other wrestlers including Bajrang and Sakshee also took to Twitter to raise their voice against WFI.Meanwhile, WFI Assistant Secretary, Vinod Tomar said he was not aware what ace wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshee Malikkh, Bajrang Punia and others were protesting about.He added that once the wrestlers approach the Federation, all the issues will be resolved and sorted out. Shubhman Gill celebrates after completing his double century during the first ODI against New Zealand at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, in Hyderabad. India won the match by 12 runs.  ANI Shubman Gill completed 1,000 ODI runs on Wednesday, becoming the fastest Indian and joint second-fastest international player to do so Taking 19 innings to score 1,102 runs, Gill surpassed the likes of Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan.  He is also the youngest double centurion in the his- tory of ODI cricket BJP is double-faced: Mamata at Meghalaya rally At BRS mega rally, KCR equates Cong with BJP STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 18 JANUARY Trinamul Congress chairperson Miss Mamata Banerjee urged the people of Meghalaya not to believe in the BJP, saying the party is doublefaced as they promise something before an election and behave completely differently after the poll is over.Miss Banerjee was addressing a huge rally at Mendipathar, Garo Hills in Meghalaya, kickstarting the party’s election campaign in Meghalaya where the Assembly election will be held in February. She said: “The BJP that believes in double engine government had two faces, one before the election and the other after the election. They will make tall promises before the polls and after the election is over they will forget everything,.” Cautioning people against the BJP, she said: “ They have money power and might damage the social fabric by dividing the people. Stand together with your head held high. Meghalaya should be ruled by the local people and not by the outsiders.” The Trinamul Congress chairperson alleged that in the past five years the BJP government did not do anything to develop the state. “ The border dispute has not been addressed, there is mounting unemployment and the economic condition of the people has gone down from bad to worse. There is a defacto Prime Minister in Assam who is controlling all the North Eastern states,” she observed. Miss Banerjee said all round development had been carried out in West Bengal since the Trinamul Congress came to power in 2011. “ We believe in women’s empowerment and give anything between Rs 1000 and Rs 500 to women upto the age of 60 years from Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. The Swasthya Sathi cards which help a person to get free treatment even in private health care estab- lishments is issued in the name of the eldest woman member of the family. The students are getting scholarships and the farmers get Rs 10,000 per year.” She said Trinamul Congress is the only viable alternative that could ensure development of the people. Urging the people to put up a fight against the BJP she said “ Look at me. I was beaten up by the Left parties when I was in the opposition. I left the Congress as it failed to provide me with security. But I did not give up and I continued to raise my voice against all injustices.” In a lighter mood, she said, she would come to the state and spend three to four days and paint. “It is my passion and I am enthralled by the scenic beauty of the state. The people are so full of music,” she remarked. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KHAMMAM, 18 JANUARY Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekar Rao today equated the Congress and the BJP saying that they only indulge in verbal fights and blame each other, as he sought to stitch a non-Congress and non-BJP Opposition coalition in the presence of the leaders of AAP, Left and Samajwadi Party at the first mammoth rally of the BRS at Khammam in Andhra Pradesh. Only leaders of regional parties keen to stay away from both the BJP and Congress were present at the meeting. They included three chief ministers ~ Pinarayi Vijayan of Kerala, Arvind Kejriwal of Delhi and Punjab’s Bhagwat Singh Mann, along with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. Mr Rao batted for nationalisation, opposing the privatisation policy of the Naren- dra Modi government and made a host of promises including reservation for women, tap water to every household and financial benefits to Dalits and farmers if BRS is voted to power.Addressing the rally in the presence of Left, AAP and SP leaders, Mr Rao said, "BJP and Congress are the same. They just blame each other and engage in verbal fight only." Criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi he further said: "Your policy is that of privatisation, ours is nationalisation" while opposing the disinvestment move in the Life Insurance Corporation of India. He said PM Modi's “Make of India” slogan was the joke of India with mushrooming Chinabazars everywhere. He said BRS was born for the purpose of serving people and the policies of the party are being drafted. All three chief ministers present at the event harped on how governors were taking on elected chief ministers with Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal saying: " Why should governors who got such comfortable jobs harass chief ministers, it is Modiji who is giving them the instructions to disturb (the state govern- ments)." He added when the Prime Minister is thinking of disturbing the chief ministers how can the country develop? However, today four chief ministers met but they spoke of development instead of politics, said Mr Kejriwal. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan described today’s rally as “the beginning of resistance”against BJP. Taking a dig at the RSS-BJP he said: “Those in power at the Centre today stayed away during the national freedom struggle and thereby do not know the values that the country has been built on. So they seek to alter the basic structure."CPI's D Raja gave a call for all democratic secular parties to join hands against the Modi government fighting against the BJP with key issues such as health, education and unemployment.