www.thestatesman.com | FOLLOW US: India’s National Newspaper since 1818 @TheStatesmanLtd | Pages 12 Nation | @thestatesmanltd ` 5.00 | People’s Parliament, Always in Session thestatesman1875 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | 30 August 2026 S P O RT S World Rahul demands FIR, arrests over ‘purification’ of Haldwani rally venue after Kharge’s address Trump: US to take control of Venezuela’s oil reserves under deal Page 5 Page 9 Neeraj Chopra to miss Diamond League Finals, Asian Games due to ankle injury Page 12 Nepal flood death toll jumps to over 680; 287 Indians still missing Prime Minister arrives in Tashkent, welcomed by Uzbekistan President NIKHIL VYAS Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tashkent on Saturday, beginning the first leg of his four-day diplomatic tour of Central Asia, with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev personally receiving him at the Tashkent International Airport. The visit marks Prime Minister Modi’s fourth trip to Uzbekistan, following his previous visits in 2015, 2016 and 2022, and comes amid efforts by the two countries to deepen cooperation across a wide range of strategic, economic and developmental sectors. Soon after his arrival, Prime Minister Modi posted on social media platform X: “Landed in Tashkent to a warm welcome by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Grateful to him for the special gesture.” “This is my fourth visit to Uzbekistan, reflecting the depth and growing momentum of our bilateral relations,” he New Delhi, 29 August T he death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal rose to over 680 on Saturday, while 287 Indians remain missing, even as search and rescue operations entered their fourth day. According to local media reports, the death toll in the Bhote Koshi flood-related disaster in Nepal has reached 682, while as many as 2,426 people are still missing. In its latest update at 5 p.m. on Indian nationals and relief efforts in Nepal, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said four more Indian nationals were rescued from a hydropower project in Nepal’s Rasuwa, bringing the total number of rescued Indian nationals to 88. The MEA said the rescued Indian nationals are Ripu Kumar, Chaneshwar Narzary, Kripa Shankar and Mohammed Minhajuddin, and they are expected to reach Kathmandu shortly. The ministry also stated that 120 Indian nationals crossed into Nepal from China on Saturday. As of date, 287 Indian nationals still remain missing, along with another 128 persons of Indian origin who hold the passports of other countries. The MEA stated that six forensic expert teams from India are expected to reach Kathmandu on Saturday to assist in the analysis of DNA samples for the identification of mortal remains. “A specialised technical team for tunnel rescue reconnaissance reached Kathmandu yesterday and started working from FIR against Mamata for violating Calcutta HC order during TMCP programme STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 29 August The Kolkata Police have filed an FIR against former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over alleged violation of a Calcutta High Court order in connection with the foundation day programme of the Trinamul Chhattra Parishad. The suo motu FIR was registered at the Hastings Police Station on Thursday, following instruction from incumbent CM Suvendu Adhikari, hours after the TMCP held its foundation day programme in South Kolkata’s Cathedral Road where Banerjee and other senior leaders of the Trinamul Congress’ Kalighat faction addressed the gathering. The FIR was based on a letter of complaint from Sub Inspector Apu Baidya who alleged that Miss Banerjee, along with organisers of TMCP entered into a “criminal conspiracy” and in pursuant to the same, violated the high court order. The FIR accuses Miss Banerjee of provoking her supporters during the programme, following which the crowd “pushed aside the barricades, jostled with police personnel deployed for maintaining law and order, created a chaotic situation and obstructed the vehicular movement of one flank of cathedral Road”. The high court had directed that the meeting be held on one side of the road, while vehicles were to pass through the adjoining lane. However, the gathering resulted in congestion in the traffic lane. The FIR also alleged that the TMCP continued the programme beyond the time permitted by the Calcutta High Court. Sometime after the meeting ended, the chief minister addressed a gathering outside Jadavpur University, and lashed out against Miss Banerjee. “You all saw how the former chief minister violated the high court order today. The court had clearly stated that one flank of the road would have to be kept completely free for vehicular movement. “But what did she do? she called those standing under trees and ensured the road was blocked,” he said. Mr Adhikari said he has already ordered the police administration to register an FIR immediately. “Besides, the high court will be moved against her in view of the incident. This illegal act will by no means be tolerated,” he said. today to assist in tunnel rescue in the impacted area. Based on their recommendation, a specialised tunnel rescue team from India with equipment is expected to reach Nepal today,” the MEA said. According to local media reports, flood survivors were airlifted by Army helicopter to an army camp in Nepal’s Nuwakot district days after a devastating flood swept through the mountainous region bordering Tibet. India has been coordinating relief and rescue efforts in response to the disaster in Nepal, while authorities continue to monitor the situation and the condition of Indian nationals affected by the floods. Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel also expressed gratitude towards India for its support and solidarity following the natural disaster. Mr Paudel also condoled the demise of Indian nationals in Nepal. Nepal Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal said: “From India, we have already received more than 57 tonnes of relief materials.” External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar said the third flight with assistance from India and an 11-member medical and tunnel rescue team reached Nepal. “Third flight with assistance from India reaches Kathmandu. Relief supplies and an 11-member medical and tunnel rescue team are now on the ground,” the EAM stated on X. With the third consignment of 10 tonnes, India has now dispatched 57.5 tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Nepal. The latest consignment includes portable generator sets, dignity kits, food packets and water purification tablets, aimed at supporting communities affected by the disaster and strengthening relief operations on the ground. • Related report: Page 9 Nabin reprimands 3 Delhi MPs who visited late Sajjan Kumar residence STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 29 August BJP president Nitin Nabin has “reprimanded” and sought an explanation from the party’s three Delhi Lok Sabha MPs who visited the residence of late Congress MP Sajjan Kumar convicted in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case to offer condolences to his family. Mr Nabin’s displeasure fell on Kamlajeet Sehrawat, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and Yogender Chandolia, leading to BJP leader H S Phoolka thanking Mr Nabin for “upholding the stand the party has taken since the last 40 years” and “taking a strong stance on the issue.” “This is what leadership should look like, as opposed to the hypocrisy of the Congress all these years. BJP has fought for this issue as their own for 40 years,” Mr Phookla said. Mr Nabin’s reprimand followed after Mr Phoolka, THE BJP PRESIDENT’S DISPLEASURE FELL ON PARTY MPS KAMLAJEET SEHRAWAT, RAMVIR SINGH BIDHURI AND YOGENDER CHANDOLIA. a prominent advocate for victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and who joined the BJP in April this year, criticised the three. “Strongly condemn the visit of 3 MP’s Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and Yogender Chandolia to mass murderer Sajjan Kumar’s residence to offer condolences on his death,” Mr Phoolka posted on social media.“This when the BJP has always supported our quest for justice against this culprits and supported us in ensuring that he stays in Jail. Sympathy should be reserved for victims and their families - many of whom live the horror of those days even till now. I call for the boycott of these 3 MP’s,” he had posted. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 29 August said, in the post that was repeated in Uzbek. During his two-day State Visit to Uzbekistan from 29 to 30 August, Prime Minister Modi will hold high-level bilateral discussions with President Mirziyoyev. The two leaders are expected to host delegation-level talks aimed at strengthening cooperation and exploring ways to align India’s long-term Viksit Bharat 2047 development vision with Uzbekistan’s Uzbekistan-2030 strategy. The discussions are expected to cover a wide range of priority sectors, including trade and investment, defence cooperation, digital connectivity, critical minerals, energy, education and health. The talks will also focus on expanding economic engagement and strengthening connectivity between India and Central Asia, a region that has assumed increasing strategic significance for New Delhi. Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled to pay his respects at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial in Tashkent, commemorating India’s second Prime Minister, who died in the Uzbek capital in January 1966 after the signing of the Tashkent Declaration. Chief Minister Adhikari orders crackdown on Tarapith hotel safety STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Rampurhat, 29 August Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has ordered a strict safety crackdown on local hotels following a devastating fire in the temple town ofTarapith that left nine pilgrims dead recently, during his first administrative meeting on Saturday in Rampurhat in Birbhum district. The Chief Minister issued directives to the district administration to enforce rigorous safety protocols and ensure such a tragedy never recurs. Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Mr Adhikari said there is a dangerous and widespread safety lapse unique to the local hospitality industry. “At night, the main exits of most hotels are locked by management to prevent guests from fleeing without settling their bills. This is a long-standing, highly dangerous practice that must be stopped completely and immediately,” he said. Mr Adhikari said that multiple state departments will work in tandem to secure the safety of the lakhs of pilgrims and religious tourists who visit the holy site annually. The Chief Minister directed Birbhum District Magistrate Dhabal Jain to immediately draft a Detailed Project Report for a massive, state-owned tourist lodge, which is intended to provide safe and affordable lodging options tailored for middle and lower-middle-class families, particularly those travelling to worship Goddess Tara during the annual Kaushiki Amavasya. Additionally, with Kaushiki Amavasya ~ the town’s biggest religious festival ~ approaching, the state government has released an immediate fund of Rs 5 crores. The package will be utilised for beautification drives and infrastructure upgrades to handle the festival rush safely. The Birbhum district administration has announced comprehensive facilities for pilgrims, alongside a strict deadline for infrastructure repairs. Mirroring the tradition at Tarakeswar, flower petals will be showered upon pilgrims at Tarapith during the festival. To ensure smooth management, assistance camps, police booths, temporary medical camps, ORS stations, and drinking water facilities will be set up every five kilometres across Birbhum. With panchayats currently non-functional, Block Development Officers (BDOs) have been directed to directly oversee these arrangements. Row over Sonia Gandhi’s yet-to-be published book turns political STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 29 August Angry Young Men Members of the Azad Samaj Party participate in a protest march towards the Patna Lok Bhavan over various student-related demands, including an inquiry into the BPSC 70th examination, action against the BPSC chairman, and resolution of issues related to BSSC CGL, librarian and dresser posts, in Patna, Bihar, on Saturday. AGENCIES Penguin Random House India’s decision not to publish senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s memoir in the country has triggered a political slugfest between the BJP and the grand old party. Amid reports that the publisher backed out after Sonia Gandhi refused to make “editorial changes”, the Congress alleged “pressure” from the government and a “threat to freedom of expression” ~ claims that the BJP countered by questioning the contents of the book. Responding to the controversy surrounding his mother’s memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said: “I call it a digression strategy. I have absolutely no interest in that right now. My interest lies in the crime that has been committed against Kharge ji.” He was referring to an alleged “purification ritual” at the Ramlila Ground in Haldwani, where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed a rally. BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that whether the book was a “memoir or fiction” was a matter to be decided between the author and the publisher. “If a work labelled as a memoir turns out to be fiction, the publisher will certainly assess that before making a decision. I feel that if you attempt to politicise a work presented as a memoir, questions will inevitably be raised,” he said. BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan accused Congress leaders of manufacturing a “false narrative of fear”, calling the move “brazenly hypocritical”. “Late K. Natwar Singh’s 2014 autobiography, One Life Is Not Enough, states that Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met him to discuss what he would write about events of May 2004, just before the UPA government was sworn in. Why was Sonia Gandhi apprehensive about his autobiography? “The question in the context of her memoir is what portions needed to be fact-checked and why. Congress leaders should also explain why the Congress family is nervous about making public the 51 cartons of Nehru’s correspondence, including his letters to Edwina Mountbatten,” he said. Sonia Gandhi’s book deal with Penguin Random House India reportedly collapsed after she refused to make changes to, or delete references to, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS, the ruling BJP’s ideological fountainhead, as well as references to Chinese intrusions. According to a statement by the publishing house, “Penguin Random House India is not the publisher of Belonging in India. Any suggestion that Penguin Random House India decided not to publish Belonging because the author declined editorial changes does not accurately reflect the circumstances.”