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 Govt committed to restoring peace in Manipur: President Page 13 BRIEFLY Goa fire tragedy: Absconding Luthra brothers detained in Phuket New Delhi: The absconding owners of ‘Birch by Romeo Lane,’ the Goa nightclub where a fire killed 25 people, Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, have been detained in Phuket, Thailand, police sources said. They will be brought back to India. The detention comes less than 24 hours after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) suspended their passports. The brothers had fled India within hours of the fire, to evade arrest, which occurred early on 6 December at their Arpora nightclub. Investigations revealed multiple irregularities, including the absence of mandatory fire safety equipment, no objection certificates, overcrowding, and narrow exit doors that hindered evacuation. Bangladesh to hold national election on 12 February PERSPECTIVE The first instalment of freedom Page 11 Page 9 Mamata warns of women’s protest over SIR deletions STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Krishnagar, 11 December C hief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday warned that any attempt to delete legitimate voters during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls would trigger a mass uprising led by the women of Bengal. Addressing a rally in Krishnagar, she delivered one of her most confrontational speeches in recent months, alleging that the BJP and the Union Home Ministry were “weaponising” the SIR to influence the 2026 Assembly elections. She urged women to be “prepared with the kitchen tools they use every day” if their names were struck off, turning domestic imagery into a symbol of resistance. “Will you snatch the rights Friday, 12 December 2025 SPORTS WORLD NATION | of mothers and sisters in the name of SIR? They will bring police from Delhi to intimidate women. Mothers and sisters, if your names are cut, you have the tools, right? You will not let it pass,” she said, calling upon women to stand at the frontlines while men “follow behind”. Miss Banerjee sharply condemned the 7 December assault on two vendors at the mass Bhagavad Gita recital in Kolkata. The incident, for which three men have been arrested, involved the alleged beating and public humiliation of two patty sellers who had gone to the venue to sell food. Videos circulating online showed their stock being thrown away and the men being forced into acts of physical punishment. “This is West Bengal, not Uttar Pradesh,” Miss Banerjee said. “They beat up patty sellers; we arrested everyone last night.” Linking the assault to the political use of religious events, she questioned the rationale behind publicly staging a Gita recital. “We all recite the Gita at home. Why the need for a public meeting? God stays in the heart. Those who pray to Allah do so in their hearts,” she said. The Chief Minister went further, challenging those who invoked scriptures for electoral mobilisation. “Dharma means purity, humanity, peace ~ not violence and division. Those shouting about the Gita should ask themselves whether they follow what Krishna actually taught.” • Another report on Pg. 3 Jeers as Real Madrid lose to Man City and pressure grows on Alonso Page 16 PM Modi, Trump speak over phone amid ongoing trade talks STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 11 December Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a "very warm and engaging conversation" on Thursday, amid speculation about an imminent trade deal between the two countries. Confirming this on the X platform, PM Modi posted: “Had a very warm and engaging conversation with President Trump. We reviewed the progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the US will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity.” Sources familiar with the call indicated the leaders focused on accelerating the shared vision of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership into tangible outcomes. “The review of bilateral progress covered key areas such as technology, trade, energy, and defence cooperation,” a source stated. “Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the trajectory of the relationship, which is fundamentally anchored in mutual trust and shared democratic values." The talks come amid negotiations between the two sides on a free trade agreement, with several rounds of discussions having been held to iron out the troubling issues. A US team led by Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer is currently in Delhi for discussions on the bilateral trade agreement with India. A day before, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer had said that India is a “tough nut to crack” but has offered the “best” deal so far. “There’s resistance in India to certain row crops and other meats and products,” Mr Greer said in Washington. However, he claimed that New Delhi has offered the USA the “best deal” it has received from a country yet.