MONDAY 14 APRIL 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00| LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR HELLO TO TARIFFS WILL MEAN GOODBYE, DOLLAR PROFITS ‘PAUSE, REVIEW, REPEAL CHANGES TO RTI ACT’ P7 T20S: KOHLI COMPLETES 100 HALF-CENTURIES ‘IDEAL TIME TO REVIVE COOPERATIVE SECTOR’ P8 P5 P12 Tension eases in Murshidabad after Waqf protests STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 13 APRIL: T he situation in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, which witnessed widespread unrest following protests against the Waqf Amendment Act, is now under control, according to Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the DGP confirmed that no fresh incidents of violence had been reported in the past 24 hours. So far, three people have reportedly died in connection with the unrest. US tariff exemption on electronics: India has clear edge over China AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 13 APRIL The Donald Trump administration’s decision to exempt smartphones, computers and other electronics imported to the USA from reciprocal tariffs has given India a definitive edge over China, industry leaders have said. According to a US Customs and Border Protection notice, smartphones and computers would be excluded from US President Donald Trump's 10 per cent global tariff on most countries, and the much larger Chinese tariffs of 145 per cent. “Now, there will be no extraordinary disruption. This is the time to boost capacities and long-term trend against China will remain robust. However, the incredible shock of the last few weeks is a tectonic event and the realignments are bound to happen,” said Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman, India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA). The ICEA represents major smartphone companies and their original equipment manufacturers, including Apple, Foxconn, Dixon, etc China still faces 20 per cent tariffs on iPhones, laptops, tablets and smartwatches and only reciprocal tariffs have been removed for China. On the other hand, India has “zero tariff” on iPhones and all smartphones, laptop and tablets exported to USA. Vietnam also has “zero tariff” on all Samsung (and others) smartphones, laptop and tablets exported to the USA. India and Vietnam are thus similarly placed on tariffs on above products and both enjoy 20 per cent tariff advantage over China. The US exemption applies to products entering the USA or removed from warehouses as early as 5 April, according to the Customs notice. The exemptions also include other electronic devices and components, including semiconductors, solar cells, and memory cards. The US tariff exclusions provide much-needed relief for the global technology sector, easing pressure across consumer electronics, semiconductors, and hardware, said Prabhu Ram, VP-Industry Research Group, CyberMedia Research (CMR). It offers meaningful reprieve to tech majors ~ especially Apple, which was caught in the crossfire ~ as well as the broader chip and hardware industries. With new laser weapon to shoot down aerial targets, India joins exclusive club AGENCIES KURNOOL, 13 APRIL India today joined the select group of nations, including the USA, China and Russia, with the capability of shooting down fixed-wing drones and swarm drones using a highenergy 30-kilowatt laser beam. The successful trial of the Mk-II(A) Laser- Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system was showcased at the National Open Air Range (NOAR), Kurnool, mastering the technology of disabling missiles, drones and smaller projectiles, Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) officials told the ANI news agency here. Success has put India in the exclusive and limited club of nations that possess the high-power Laser-DEW. Speaking with ANI, DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat said: “As far as I know, it is the United States, Russia and China that have demonstrated this capability. Israel is also working on similar capabilities, I would say we are the fourth or fifth country in the world to demonstrate this system.” Kamat said that this is just the "beginning of the journey", adding that DRDO is working on a number of technologies "that will give us Star Wars capability." “This is just the beginning of the journey. The synergy that this lab has achieved with other DRDO labs, industry and academia, I am sure we will reach our destination soon... We are also working on other high energy systems like high energy microwaves, electromagnetic pulse. So we are working on a number of technologies that will give us Star Wars capability. What you saw today was one of the components of Star Wars technologies,” Mr Kamat said. The i ndigenously designed and developed Mk-II(A) DEW system was demonstrated in its entire spectrum of capability by engaging the fixed-wing drones at long range, thwarting a multiple drone attack and destroying enemy surveillance sensors and antennae. To maintain law and order, 17 companies of central forces have been deployed, including Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel drawn from the BSF and CISF. Of these, eight companies have been posted in volatile areas of Murshidabad, while the rest remain on reserve. The deployment includes one company from Kolkata, three from Junglemahal, and another four ~ comprising CRPF and RAF units ~ from Jhargram. A senior CRPF officer of Inspector General rank has also arrived in Murshidabad to oversee the situation. Despite the calm, a fresh allegation surfaced on Saturday night when a youth named Samsher Nadab was reportedly shot during a clash in Dhulian under Shamsherganj police station. He is currently undergoing treatment at Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital. The incident occurred during a brickpelting attack on BSF personnel. In a proactive move, the state police has also dispatched 23 experienced officers from various districts for “special duty” in Murshidabad. These officers were instructed to report at Shamsherganj police station on Sunday, following an order issued by the Additional DGP (Law & Order) on Saturday. The BSF’s IG for the South Bengal Frontier, Karni Singh Shekhawat, arrived in the district on Sunday to assess the ground situation and held a meeting with state police officials, including DGP Mr Kumar. Joint route marches by state police and central forces were conducted across several sensitive areas to reinforce public confidence. So far, around 180 individuals have been arrested in connection with the violence, which had spread to areas like Shamsherganj, Suti, and Jangipur. The BSF’s IG reiterated that the force will remain in place as long as needed and will fully cooperate with state authorities to maintain peace. Meanwhile, BJP MP from Ranaghat, Jagannath Sarkar, has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking central intervention in Murshidabad. Top police officials, including ADG South Bengal Supratim Sarkar, also visited the violencehit areas. DGP Rajeev Kumar held a strategy meetings with district officials in Jangipur and directed specially selected personnel to take charge for the next four days as part of the ongoing peacekeeping measures. (More reports on Pgs 2, 3)
The Statesman is one of India's oldest English newspapers. It was founded in Kolkata in 1875 and is directly descended from The Friend of India (founded 1818). The Englishman (founded 1821) was merged with The Statesman in 1934. The Delhi edition of The Statesman began publication in 1931. The Statesman Weekly is a compendium of news and views from the Kolkata and Delhi editions. Printed on airmail paper, it is popular with readers outside India. The Statesman (average weekday circulation approximately 180,000) is a leading English newspaper in West Bengal. The Sunday Statesman has a circulation of 230,000.
