TUESDAY 10 DECEMBER 2024 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 Pages 12 |` 5.00 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘WILL NOT ALLOW TUNGSTEN MINING IN MADURAI’ ‘PM HAS ACCOMPLISHED SARDAR PATEL'S UNFINISHED TASKS’ P4 SENSEX 81,508.46 q200.66 WEATHER Partly cloudy sky. Mist in the morning. Maximum and Minimum Temperature most likely to be around 26˚C and 16˚C respectively. RAINFALL: 0.0 mm RELATIVE HUMIDITY NIFTY 24,619.00 q58.80 P5 ` vs $ 84.91 P10 GOLD 78,950.00 Max: 26.4˚C (-1.4) Min: 16.5˚C (-0.1) KOLKATA, 9 DECEMBER SUN RISES 06:05 hrs MOON RISES 12:13 hrs SUN SETS 16:53 hrs MOON SETS 20:30 hrs T THUMBNAILS Defence minister Rajnath Singh interacts with Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi during the commissioning ceremony of the INS Tushil (F 70), in Kaliningrad in Russia on Monday. (See Page 4) n ANI Bomb threat panic over 40 Delhi schools: More than 40 schools in the capital were thrown into chaos and panic on Monday morning after they received bomb threats via email, police officials said. However, nothing suspicious was found and it turned out to be a hoax, they said. The emails, reportedly sent to multiple institutions, claimed that bombs had been planted on their premises, threatening significant harm if a $30,000 ransom was not paid. BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 71.97 FS Misri visits Dhaka, conveys concern over attacks on minorities CM reassured that her state would support any decision taken by the Indian government Min. 40% Full Moon on 15 December P12 SILVER 92,000 Mamata’s strong reply to ‘occupy Bengal’ remark Max. 92% TEMPERATURE HAZLEWOOD IN LINE FOR BRISBANE RETURN SANJAY MALHOTRA APPOINTED AS NEW GOVERNOR OF RBI STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE aking umbrage to Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader’s remarks regarding Bangladesh’s legitimate claims over Bengal, Bihar and Odisha, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee took a dig and wondered whether Indians “would have lollipop” when external forces would try to occupy Indian lands. "Let us show Bengalis on the other side a sense of nationalism, compassion and affection," she said. During her address today in the Assembly, while speaking on Bangladesh issue, Miss Banerjee in an apparent reference to Bangla leaders said, “Some are saying that they would capture Kolkata (Bengal), Bihar and Odisha. Those who are saying these wish them a healthy life but having said that my message to them is there is no reason to take us for granted as we would not keep quite on such an alleged misadventure. But our policy is not of violence but want restoration of peace.” The Bengal chief minister said many people from Bangladesh want to cross into the border state. "The BSF is watching. We will not comment on this. Those with money are coming on planes or trains, but the poor cannot. We don't handle the border. Let them (Centre). We don't interfere in matters of External Affairs (ministry)," she said. Mamata Banerjee said Bengal will follow the guidelines of the ministry of external affairs on the current Bangladesh issue. Speaking in the West Bengal Assembly, Mamata Banerjee urged people to stay calm and not react to provocative statements from Bangladesh. The Bengal CM reassured that her state would support any decision taken by the Indian government. Reiterating her stand on the issue of Bangladesh, the chief minister further said, “The policy of our party and government as well is to abide by whatever guidelines the central government would issue and we will respect that. We are optimistic that there would be a breakthrough at the foreign secretary level talks between the two countries on the issue being held today. Addressing the Assembly, the Trinamul Congress chief said everyone is concerned about the atrocities against Hindu minorities in the neighbouring country. "Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, or Christians don't start riots. Anti-social elements start riots. We should not make any remark that creates a bad situation in Bengal. I am happy that both Hindus and the Muslim minority here are protesting against atrocities in Bangladesh. This shows our secular nature," she said. She said minority leaders wanted to take out a rally. "I asked them not to. Many people use this as an opportunity. They would start another riot. We don't want riots, we want peace. Hindus and Muslims and Sikhs and Christians have the same blood," Ms Banerjee said. The Bengal CM said many people from Bangladesh want to cross into the border state. "The BSF is watching. We will not comment on this. Those with money are coming on planes or trains, but the poor cannot. We don't handle the border. Let them (Centre)," she said. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 9 DECEMBER Amid strain in bilateral ties, India on Monday conveyed to Bangladesh its concern over the recent attacks on Hindus and other minorities in the neighbouring country while underlining that New Delhi desires a positive, constructive and mutually beneficial bilateral relationship. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday visited Dhaka for foreign office consultations between the two nations and held talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Md Jashim Uddin. He also called on Chief Adviser of the Interim Government in Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Affairs Advisor Md Touhid Hossain during his brief visit. Talking to reporters after his talks, Mr Misri said, ''We also had the opportunity to discuss certain recent developments and issues and I conveyed our concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities. We also discussed some regrettable incidents of attacks on some cultural, religious and diplomatic properties.'' He said he also underlined India's desire to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh. The Indian diplomat said the discussions have given both India and Bangladesh the opportunity to take stock of bilateral ties. "I appreciate the opportunity today to have had a frank, candid and constructive exchange of views with all my interlocutors," he added. He said India has always seen in the past and continues to see the relationship between the two countries as a peoplecentric and people-oriented relationship that has the benefit of the two people as its central motivational force. ''This is reflected in the development projects that have been executed on the ground in Bangladesh and that continue to be developed. It is also reflected in the mutually beneficial engagement we have on a whole set of issues ranging from trade, commerce, connectivity, power, water and energy,'' he added.