FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 16 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA LC | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR | Thursday, 13 November 2025 SPORTS NATION NATION Kerala writes to Centre to halt PM-SHRI implemention Page 6 BRIEFLY Army chief: India rising in multipolar world Doeschate confirms Jurel to partner Pant in 1st Test WORLD Trump eases H-1B stance, says US needs foreign talent Page 11 Page 5 Page 16 Union Cabinet directs ‘utmost urgency’ in blast culprits hunt Blast probe reveals Pak-based JeM link to ‘terror doctor module’, 15 medics arrested nationwide STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Retail inflation in October eases to 0.25 per cent: ATUL KRISHAN THE PRIME MINISTER, WHO WAS ON A TWO-DAY VISIT TO BHUTAN, WENT TO LNJP HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY UPON HIS RETURN TO DELHI AND MET THE INJURED VICTIMS OF THE DEADLY BLAST THAT CLAIMED 13 LIVES AND LEFT AT LEAST 24 OTHERS INJURED. New Delhi, 12 November T New Delhi: Retail inflation in October eased to 0.25 per cent, the lowest level in the current series that began in 2013, down from 1.44 per cent in September. The moderation was led by a continued decline in food prices. As per the data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the food index fell to -5.02 per cent in October from -2.3 per cent in the previous month, reflecting a broad-based softening in key staples and edible items. Year-on-year inflation rate based on Consumer Food Price Index for October 2025 over October 2024 is -5.02 per cent (Provisional). (Page 12) he Union Cabinet, in a meeting Wednesday evening chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, condemned the Red Fort car blast as a “heinous terror incident perpetrated by anti-national forces” and directed that the incident be investigated with "utmost urgency" to swiftly identify and bring all "perpetrators" and "sponsors" to justice. The Cabinet expressed profound grief over the loss of innocent lives in the terror attack and observed two minutes of silence in honour of the victims who were killed in the car explosion, which also injured several others, In a strongly worded resolution adopted during the meeting, the Cabinet condemned the “heinous terror incident perpetrated by anti-national forces” and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The resolution also commended the swift response Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets the injured in the Red Fort car blast, at Lok Nayak Hospital in Delhi on Wednesday. SNS of medical personnel, emergency responders, and security agencies, whose “courage and compassion” were acknowledged as exemplary. Reiterating India’s unwavering commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism in all its forms, the Cabinet welcomed the solidarity expressed by several governments worldwide. It directed that the ongoing investigation be pursued with utmost urgency and professionalism to ensure that the p erp etrators, collaborators, and sponsors CM Mamata honoured with D Litt by Okayama University STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 12 November Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was on Wednesday conferred a honorary D.Litt (Doctor of Literature) by the renowned Okayama University of Japan for her outstanding contributions to literature and politics. This marks the third such honour bestowed upon Miss Banerjee, following similar recognitionsbyCalcuttaUniversity and St Xavier’s University in 2018 and 2023 respectively. Visibly buoyed by the gesture, Miss Banerjee announced that she would visit the university in Japan next year. Following the conferment, Miss Banerjee said in her address: “Japan is a beautiful country. We may be different nations with distinct cultures and traditions, but our hearts are the same. I will visit the prestigious university next year.” The Chief Minister further remarked: “Japan is a country where love, affection, and respect for others are hallmarks of its people. It accords due respect to individuals, promotes unity and harmony, and nurtures education and culture. I am grateful to them for coming here to confer this honour upon me.” The programme, held at the Dhana Dhanye Auditorium in Alipore, was jointly organised by Sister Nivedita University and Okayama University of Japan. are identified and brought to justice without delay. The resolution reaffirmed the government’s steadfast resolve to safeguard the lives and well-being of all citizens, in keeping with its enduring commitment to national security. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi, who had been on a two-day official visit to Bhutan, returned to the capital and immediately headed to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital, a release from his office said. There, he met the victims Threat to blow up five airports declared hoax STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 12 November Two days after the car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort, a threat to blow up five airports across the country surfaced on Wednesday. However, investigations later confirmed that the threat was a hoax. Sources from Indigo said that on Wednesday the airline received an email threatening to bomb five airports. The email was reportedly received at around 3:15 p.m. The email is said to have specifically named the airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Trivandrum. It claimed that bombs would explode within 24 hours, targeting all five airports. After comprehensive inspections of the airports by security agencies, the bomb threat was declared to be fake. of the deadly blast that rocked central Delhi near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, claiming 13 lives and injuring 24 others. During his visit, the Prime Minister interacted with the injured, offering words of comfort and wishing them a swift recovery. He was briefed by hospital officials and a team of doctors about the medical condition of the patients and the treatment being provided. “Went to LNJP Hospital and met those injured during the blast in Delhi. Praying for everyone’s quick recovery. Those behind the conspiracy will be brought to justice!,” the Prime Minister said in a post on the X social media platform. New Delhi, 12 November The investigation into the Delhi Red Fort blast case has turned up evidence indicating that Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) handlers were in touch with the 'Terror Doctor Module', which was allegedly behind the blast on 10 November. The investigation agencies are now saying that a modified explosive might have been used in the blast. The agencies are also examining documents containing information about white-collar educated radicals who have been arrested between 2001 and 2025. According to the documents, also accessed by this reporter, 36 terror incidents involved educated Muslims, including doctors, engineers, professors, and journalists. Sources said that Jaish-e-Mohammed also wanted to take revenge for 'Operation Sindoor', in which their ultras were killed. The JK Police have, as of now, arrested 15 doctors from different parts of the nation, and a total of 56 doctors have been questioned so far. Those arrested in this pan-India operation include five from Jammu & Kashmir ~ Arif, Yasir, Maqsood, Irfan, and Zameer ~ along with one more from J&K, Dr. Sajjad. Arrests from other regions include Dr. Adeel Raider from Saharanpur, Dr. Mozammil Ahmad and Dr. Shaheen Shahid from Faridabad, and Dr Pervez from Lucknow. Additionally, one doctor from Sector 56 in Faridabad and four lab technicians from Al Falah University have been detained, while three individuals from J&K ~ Tariq, Amir, and Umar ~ are currently under questioning but have not been formally arrested. Top sources have said that doctors Muzammil Shakeel and Umar Nabi had conducted a recce of the Red Fort. The module’s plan was to target the Red Fort on 26 January (Republic Day). Furthermore, the group had planned to target a crowded place during Diwali. On Wednesday, Delhi Police were looking for a Ford EcoSport car, which was later found in Faridabad. This was allegedly being used by Dr Umar's associate. "A red Ford EcoSport (registration number DL 10 CK 0458) linked to the Delhi blast case has been recovered near Khadawali village," the police said. Top hospital sources told the reporter there were no traces of explosives on the bodies of the victims killed in the Red Fort Blast. Al-Falah University in Faridabad, where several of those linked to the so-called ‘Terror Doctor Module’ were employed, on Wednesday also released a press note that condemned the attack. The note said that the University had nothing to do with any sort of terror activities. Bihar: Tejashwi rejects exit polls, says surge of 72 lakh votes signals change IMRAN MOJIB Patna, 12 November The INDIA bloc’s chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday rejected the exit polls of the Bihar Assembly elections, claiming that the opposition alliance will form the government in the state after the counting of votes on 14 November. Speaking to the media here, he said compared to 2020, 72 lakh more people voted this time. In every Assembly constituency, more than 30,000 additional voters turned out. “These votes were not cast to save the government of Nitish Kumar. People voted to change it,” he asserted. Commenting on the exit polls, the RJD leader said: “We neither live in any illusion nor any delusion regarding such surveys. We are receiving extremely positive feedback from across the state. Results will be announced on 14 November, and the oath-taking will be on 18 November — that’s certain.” According to the exit polls, the NDA appears to have the lead in Bihar, while the INDIA bloc is trailing. This time, Bihar recorded a 66.9 per cent voter turnout, with significant participation from women and youth. Questioning the credibility of the exit polls, Mr Yadav said: “Nobody is disclosing the survey’s sample size or its methodology. Surprisingly, the exit polls were released even before voting had ended. These surveys are purely psychological tactics meant to put pressure on officials involved in conducting the elections.” Expressing concern over the counting process, he added: “These surveys have been used to create a narrative, and every effort will be made to slow down the counting process. The entire procedure will be deliberately delayed. They may even deploy the army to conduct flag marches across districts to create fear among people.” Mr Yadav further said: “We are determined to foil such attempts. Our people will prevent vote theft, no matter what sacrifice it takes. We will not allow any dishonesty in the counting. If there is any malpractice, the public will give a fitting reply. The people of Bihar will not allow democracy to be undermined.” Chicken’s Neck: India’s strategic reinforcement along eastern frontier India among top ten countries affected by climate change: Report PARWINDER SANDHU Belem, 12 November New Delhi, 12 November Attention has once again turned to the “Chicken’s Neck” ~ the narrow Siliguri Corridor that connects India’s northeast to the mainland ~ with the construction of three new military garrisons and an air power demonstration by the Indian Air Force in Guwahati. Given the evolving dynamics between China and India, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), India’s increased military presence along the eastern frontier is being viewed as a strategic response to China’s construction of missile silos and fortified villages near the border. The Siliguri Corridor, which runs through West Bengal and borders Bangladesh, Nepal, China’s Chumbi Valley in Tibet, and the Kingdom of Bhutan, is just 17 kilometres wide at its narrowest point. As the sole land link between India and its eight northeastern states, the Siliguri Corridor ~ stretching from the Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Terai regions of West Bengal towards the northeast ~ holds immense strategic importance. Beijing is reportedly constructing at least two fortified air defence installations in the Tibet Autonomous Region, according to recent reports backed by satellite imagery and analysis from Planet Labs, a commercial geospatial intelligence company. Retractable roof shelters designed to conceal missile launch systems are being incorporated into these structures. By allowing launches from within, these shelters provide significant protection against detection and possible enemy strikes. China’s increasing defence cooperation with Pakistan during Operation Sindoor has also raised concern among Indian defence planners. Speaking to the media, Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development and Sustenance), observed that the China–Pakistan defence partnership has advanced beyond traditional arms transfers. He expressed concern that Beijing appears to be using its close relationship with Islamabad as a testing ground for new technologies including advanced weapons platforms and surveillance systems in real-world combat situations. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi recently described the corridor, often called India’s “chokepoint” due to its critical position, as the nation’s “strongest defence corridor.” BISWENDU BHATTACHARJEE India ranks among the top ten countries globally most affected by climate change, as detailed in a report released in Belem on Wednesday. The report highlights the toll that extreme weather events, including heat waves, storms, and floods have taken on vulnerable nations, including India. The 2026 Climate Risk Index by German Watch lists Dominica, Myanmar, and Honduras as the three nations most impacted by extreme weather over the last three decades. While the majority of countries in the top ranks are in the Global South, several European nations and the United States are also included in the top 30, showcasing the widespread effects of climate change. The report indicates that about 40 per cent of the world's population, over three billion people, resides in the eleven countries most severely affected by climate related extreme weather in the past 30 years. India, ranked 9th overall, has approximately 1.4 billion affected individuals, while China, which is at the 11th position, contributes notably as well. Libya and Haiti follow closely with the Philippines, recently impacted by severe typhoons Kalmaegi and Fung-wong, in 7th place. Developed nations are not exempt from these challenges ~ France ranks 12th, the highest among industrialised countries, with Italy at 16th and the United States, under the leadership of Donald Trump and currently in a state of climate denial, at 18th. The index records over 9,700 extreme weather events occurring between 1995 and 2024, resulting in more than 830,000 fatalities and over USD 4.5 trillion in direct damage, adjusted for inflation. According to the report, heat waves and storms are the most significant threats to human life posed by these events and cause the highest monetary damages, while floods have affected the most people.