THURSDAY 05 SEPTEMBER 2024 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ARIF MOHAMMED SET TO CONTINUE AS KERALA GUV US CHARGES HAMAS LEADERS OVER 7 OCT ATTACK ON ISRAEL P9 SENSEX 82,352.64q202.80 WEATHER Thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. Storms could contain frequent lightning. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 34 °C and 27 °C respectively. P4 NIFTY 25,198.70q81.15 P5 ` vs $ 83.96 GOLD 73,355.00 India, Brunei call for rules-based system RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Both nations condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations Max. 89% STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Min. 73 % TEMPERATURE Max: 34.6˚C SUN RISES 05:20 hrs MOON RISES 06:58 hrs NEW DELHI, 4 SEPTEMBER Min: 27.3˚C SUN SETS 17:49 hrs MOON SETS 19:06 hrs I Full Moon on 18 September THUMBNAILS A man holding an umbrella cycles across Kartavya Path amid a shower, in New Delhi on Wednesday. n ANI EPS pensioners to get pension from any bank, branch across India: Union Minister of Labour and Employment and Chairperson, Central Board of Trustees, EPF, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya has approved the proposal for a Centralized Pension Payment System for Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995. This marks a major shift by establishing a national-level centralised system, enabling pension disbursement through any bank, any branch across India. ndia and Brunei have supported adherence to a rules-based international system to ensure peace and development, and agreed to strengthen cooperation at various regional and multilateral fora such as ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations, East Asia Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum, Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and United Nations (UN). This was stated in a Joint Statement released at the end of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Brunei Darussalam, which concluded on Wednesday. Mr Modi undertook the visit at the invitation of Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. This was the Prime Minister’s first visit as well as the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei Darussalam. During their talks, the two leaders agreed to work together for enhanced multilateralism Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah before their bilateral meeting, in Bandar Seri Begawan on Wednesday. Brunei Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah also seen. n ANI reflective of contemporary realities. They reiterated their commitment to work closely together in mutually beneficial areas to further strengthen the ASEAN – India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The Joint Statement said: “Both leaders reiterated their commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, stability, maritime safety and security, as well as respecting freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce, consistent with international law, notably the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.” The two leaders also urged all parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS 1982. Both leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and called upon states to repudiate it. They underlined that no country should allow territory under their control to be used for terrorism; no country should harbour terrorists and resolved to work together to bring perpetrators of terrorist acts to justice. Recognizing terrorism and transnational organized crime linkages, both leaders agreed to enhance cooperation in this regard. Both sides agreed to work together at the UN and other multilateral fora to combat terrorism. Both leaders agreed on the urgent need to address climate change and enhance efforts in mitigating the adverse impacts from this rising challenge, in accordance with international climate objectives, such as the Paris Agreement. The Sultan of Brunei appreciated India’s initiative in establishing the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and Global Bio-fuel Alliance (GBA). He also appreciated India’s support for Brunei Darussalam’s efforts in hosting the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change. Rahul Gandhi in J-K hits out Centre asks states to provide action taken at BJP for spreading hatred; report on safety of healthcare professionals vows to bring back peace STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 4 SEPTEMBER STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, 4 SEPTEMBER Hitting out at the BJP for spreading hatred, violence and fear across the country, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said his party will defeat this ugly situation with love and respect to all sections of society. “Hatred cannot be negated by hatred, it can only be defeated by love,” he said. Mr Gandhi was addressing election rallies at Dooru in south Kashmir and Sangaldan in the Banihal constituency of Jammu. National Conference (NC) chief Dr. Farooq Abdullah, who was also present in the rally at Dooru, along with Rahul formally launched the joint election campaign of the NC-Congress alliance. They also released a “chargesheet” against the BJP government and the J&K administration. Mr Gandhi said that the INDIA bloc will ensure restoration of statehood of J&K. Saying that the natural resources and other assets of J&K were being given away to some blue-eyed people of the government, he slammed the Lt. Governor by calling him a “monarch”. The Central government has asked the States and Union Territories (UTs) to provide an action-taken report on measures taken for safety of doctors and healthcare workers before 10 September. In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary (CS) and Director General of Police (DGP) of all the States and UTs on Tuesday, Health Secretary Apurva Chandra wrote: “I would like to thank you all for participating in the VC held regarding the discussion on provisioning of safety and security measures AJEET WINS PARALYMPICS JAVELIN SILVER SHAH TO RELEASE BJP’S ELECTION MANIFESTO IN J-K ON 6 SEPTEMBER and safe working environment for doctors and healthcare workers in all medical institutions. All the suggestions, ideas and recommendations from all the State/UTs have been taken note of and are well appreciated.” “It is worth reiterating that as per the order dated 22nd August, the Supreme Court (SC) has inter-alia directed to hold a meeting with Secretaries and DGP so as to ensure that the State governments/UTs put into place certain basic minimum requirements pending the receipt of the report of the National Task Force (NTF) to assuage the concerns of the doctors over their safety at their work places,” he said. In addition to immediate measures suggested in the previous letter dated 23rd August, a few key points were highlighted during the discussion of the meeting held on 28 August, Mr Chandra said..” Citizens of Kolkata reclaim the night once again STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 4 SEPTEMBER: With anger and outrage persisting over the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital nearly a month ago, citizens of Kolkata ‘reclaimed the night’ once again on Wednesday night. Reports that the Supreme Court hearing on the R.G. Kar case is unlikely to be held tomorrow did not dampen the spirit of the citizens who were resolute to carry out their programme of reclaiming the night despite all odds. The call of the protesting junior doctors to switch off the lights for one hour from 9 pm received a huge response from citizens across sections. Citizens with candles and mobile torch in their handles started gathering as early as 7.30 pm at various locations in the city. Men, women, teenagers or even the elderly, people from all walks of life hit the city streets tonight answering the call from doctors and other citizens of the state capital. From Shyambazar to Metro Cinema in Dharmatala, Hazra, Sakherbazar, Netaji Nagar, Ultadanga , Garfa Bazar, Laketown, New Town, Garden Reach and many more, there was hardly any pocket of the city that did not have a venue of protest. The outrage and the voices demanding justice for the R.G.kar victim were not restricted to Kolkata but gripped the fringes of the city, expanding up to various parts of South and North Bengal. From Barasat to Salkia, Kalyani or New Barrackpore, Chunchura, Canning, Kanchrapara, Krishnanagar the list of gatherings was very long. Beforehand, citizens of Kolkata were seen talking and planning about the night reclaiming programme at office, bus stops markets and workplaces. SILVER 90,000 P12 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 72.71q0.59 Warm, vibrant welcome to PM in Singapore The PM was warmly received at the airport by the Singapore Minister of Home Affairs and Law, and greeted at his hotel by the vibrant Indian community. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 4 SEPTEMBER Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday arrived in Singapore where he will hold talks with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in a major push to India-Singapore ties and India’s Act East Policy and Vision of the Indo-Pacific. The Prime Minister was warmly received at the airport by the Singapore Minister of Home Affairs and Law, and greeted at his hotel by the vibrant Indian community. Mr Modi posted on the X: “Landed in Singapore. Looking forward to the various meetings aimed at boosting the India-Singapore friendship. India’s reforms and the talent of our Yuva Shakti makes our nation an ideal investment destination. We also look forward to closer cultural ties.” The Prime Minister said his welcome by the Indian community was truly vibrant. He posted on X: “Thank you, Singapore! The welcome was truly vibrant.” The Indian community welcomed the PM by Ganapati Bappa Moraya cries and short dance recitals by girls. He joined in beating the dhol, and a woman tied Rakhi on his right wrist, while a child carried a placard “I love Modiji.” Tripura: Memorandum signed with NLFT, ATTF to end insurgency STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE AGARTALA/NEW DELHI, 4 SEPTEMBER The Union government, the Tripura government, and representatives of the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) on Wednesday signed a historic Memorandum of Settlement, aiming to bring long-lasting peace to Tripura. The agreement, witnessed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Shah, represents a crucial step towards eradicating decades of violence and integrating former militants into mainstream society. This settlement is part of a broader effort under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to transform the Northeast into a region free from extremism and conflict, Mr Shah said. The National Lib- eration Front of Tripura (NLFT), formed in 1989, and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF), established in 1990, have both been involved in armed struggles for Tripura's independence. Their commitment to peace through this agreement marks the culmination of years of negotiation and a significant reduction in insurgent activities across the state. This is one of several agreements signed under the Modi government, contributing to around 10,000 militants laying down their arms and joining the mainstream.