www.thestatesman.com | FOLLOW US: India’s National Newspaper since 1818 @TheStatesmanLtd | Pages 12 Editorial | @thestatesmanltd ` 5.00 | People’s Parliament, Always in Session thestatesman1875 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR World Page 6 Page 9 BRIEFLY CBI arrests another mastermind in NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case: New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday said it has identified and arrested another mastermind who was allegedly involved in leaking Biology questions for the NEET-UG 2026 examination. “Another key accused, Ms. Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, a senior Botany teacher from Pune, Maharashtra, has been arrested in Delhi after thorough interrogation by the CBI. She was involved in the NEETUG 2026 examination process and had been appointed by the NTA as an expert,” a CBI official said. During April 2026, she allegedly mobilised prospective NEET candidates through another accused and conducted special coaching classes for students at her residence in Pune. where she disclosed several questions in Botany and Zoology, which matched the actual NEET-UG 2026 examination paper. PM projects India’s global confidence to diaspora STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 16 May P rime Minister Narendra Modi used a high-energy address to the Indian community in The Hague on Saturday to present a sweeping vision of a rapidly transforming India driven by technology, entrepreneurship, democratic participation and global ambition, while also positioning the Indian diaspora as a vital bridge between India and Europe. Addressing a packed gathering during his visit to the Netherlands, Mr Modi highlighted India’s aspirations to emerge as a leading global power in technology, manufacturing and innovation. The Prime Minister said the atmosphere at the event made him momentarily forget he was in Europe. “It feels as though some festival is taking India’s decision to hold Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance remains in force: MEA STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 16 May The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday reiterated that India’s decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance remains in force. The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) was suspended by New Delhi following the deadly 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam in 2025, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists. The Indus Water Treaty (IWT), which was signed in 1960, governs the sharing of the waters of six rivers ~ Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej ~ between India and Pakistan. In response to media queries, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a statement said: “The illegally constituted so-called Court of Arbitration (CoA) has, on 15 May 2026, issued what it termed an award concerning maximum pondage supplemental to the award on issues of general interpretation of the Indus Waters Treaty.” India categorically rejects the present so-called award, just as it has firmly rejected all prior pronouncements of the illegally constituted CoA, the statement said. “India has never recognised the establishment of this so-called CoA. Any proceeding, award, or decision issued by it is null and void,” the statement said. place somewhere in India itself,” he remarked, describing The Hague ~ globally known as the “City of Peace and Justice” ~ as a “living symbol of Indian friendship” because of the enthusiasm shown by the diaspora. Mr Modi’s remarks came at a time when India is seeking deeper strategic and economic engagement with European nations, particularly in areas such as semiconductors, resilient supply chains, green hydrogen, digital technology and advanced manufacturing. The Netherlands has emerged as a key partner for India within the European Union because of its strengths in logistics, clean energy, water management and technologydriven industries. ‘Parasites’ remarks targeted fake degree holders, CJI clarifies STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 16 May Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Saturday said a section of the media had misquoted him on his “parasite” remark on Friday, clarifying that his oral observations referring to certain elements as “parasites” and “cockroaches” were aimed only at individuals entering professions with fake degrees and not at the youth of the country. “I am pained to read how a section of the media has misquoted my oral observations made during the hearing of a frivolous case yesterday,” CJI Kant said in a statement. Clarifying, the CJI said that his criticism was specifically aimed at individuals who had entered professions on the basis of “fake and bogus degrees”. “What I had specifically criticised were those who have entered professions like the Bar (legal profession) with the aid of fake and bogus degrees. Similar persons have sneaked into the media, social media, and other noble professions as well, and hence, they are like parasites,” the statement said. Rejecting suggestions that his comments were directed at young people, the CJI termed such interpretations “totally baseless”. “It is totally baseless to suggest that I criticised the youth of our nation. Not only am I proud of our present and future human resource, but every youth of India inspires me,” he said. Chatter intensifies over Modi Cabinet reshuffle, BJP organisational rejig VIBHA SHARMA New Delhi, 16 May With Assembly elections over in key states, speculation is intensifying over a long-pending organisational reshuffle in the ruling BJP and also the expansion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Council of Ministers ~ exercises closely linked and aimed at infusing fresh energy amid fatigue and mounting economic and geopolitical challenges. According to top party sources, BJP president Nitin Nabin is expected to announce his new team “within the next 10 days”. This is likely to be followed by a reshuffle of the Union Council of Ministers, which has not seen any expansion or major changes since PM Modi returned to power for a third consecutive term in 2024. What also fuelled the chatter is a reported proposed meeting of the Council of Ministers, to be chaired by PM Modi and scheduled for 21 May. Officials familiar with the developments, however, said such meetings are “routine,” particularly given the challenges currently facing the country. Adding to the buzz was Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Nabin in Delhi on Thursday. Discussions are learnt to have focused on organisational changes and possible portfolio adjustments in the Uttar Pradesh government, apart from preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state. “Everything, including Uttar Pradesh elections are closely linked with central BJP organisational and Cabinet reshuffle,” sources said. The expected organisational and Cabinet reshuffles are significant as they precede crucial contests, including the 2027 Assembly elections in key states such as Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, the Presidential election and the 2029 Lok Sabha polls. In 2027, the BJP will face Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. The party is already in power in five of these states. Party insiders say the revamped Union Cabinet and BJP national team may include representatives from poll-bound states as well as states where elections were recently held, such as Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | 17 May 2026 S P O RT S Putin to visit China, meet Xi Jinping Plugging leaks | During his speech, Mr Modi repeatedly underlined India’s growing technological capabilities and economic scale, portraying the country as both an emerging innovation hub and a democratic success story. “Today’s India is going through a phase of unprecedented transformation,” he said. “Aspirations in India are unlimited, so efforts are also becoming limitless.” Highlighting India’s rapid advances in semiconductor manufacturing, Mr Modi said work was currently underway on 12 semiconductor plants across the country, with production having already begun at two facilities. “This means that chips will now be ‘designed in India’ as well as ‘made in India’,” he said, underscoring New Delhi’s broader push to reduce dependence on imports and build domestic capabilities in critical technologies. Robert Lewandowski to leave Barcelona at the end of the season Page 12 CM Adhikari announces crackdown on police unionism, extortion networks STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 16 May Indicating an overhaul of police administration in the state, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a series of major administrative and policing measures, including the dissolution of the Police Welfare Board, a crackdown on alleged extortion networks and stricter action against attacks on police personnel. Addressing a Press conference after a high-level administrative meeting in Diamond Harbour over preparations for the Falta Assembly by-election on Saturday, the Chief Minister said: “If anyone attacks police personnel, strict punishment will follow.” The meeting was attended by senior officials linked to the by-election process and several police officers from South 24-Parganas district. Police officials from different police stations across the state also joined virtually following the Prime Minister’s call for administrative coordination. The Chief Minister alleged that the Police Welfare Board had turned into a political organisation and announced its immediate dissolution. “The Police Welfare Board has become a party organisation. The names of Shantanu Sinha Biswas and Bijiteshwar Raut are known. Today we dissolved the board. We will remove the concept of aggressive trade unionism,” he said. He also added that a new board would be formed within three months after consultations with police officers under the leadership of the Chief Secretary. Announcing a crackdown on illegal toll collection and transport syndicates, Mr Adhikari said police had been directed to take strict action against illegal toto (e-rickshaw) and auto syndicates. “Till now there was the ruler’s law, now rule of law will be established. Work according to law,” he said. The Chief Minister said several administrative orders had been issued over the past week and announced that policing in the state would now be conducted under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).