SATURDAY 13 APRIL 2024 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC Twitter.com/thestatesman Facebook.com/thestatesman INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR THE OJ SIMPSON SAGA ‘INDIA BLOC WILL SURPRISE’ P7 SENSEX 74,244.90793.25 WEATHER Partly cloudy sky. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 35 °C and 26 °C respectively. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 86 % TEMPERATURE NIFTY 22,519.40234.40 THUMBNAILS Devotees praying at Nakuleshwar temple beside Kali Ghat temple in Kolkata on the occasion of Nil Sasthi on Friday. SNS Retail inflation for March eases to 9-month m low of 4.85pc: India’s retail inflation has eased to a nine-month low of 4.85per cent in March 2024 on an annual basis, said the data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on Friday. The inflation also eased in March from February’s 5.09per cent. Previously, CPI-based inflation was the lowest at 4.87 per cent in October 2023. Food inflation, measured by the CPI Food index, also cooled, coming in at 8.52 per cent last month as against (Pg 8) 8.66 per cent in February. ` vs $ 83.387 PAISE GOLD 73,3101,090 P12 SILVER 86,5001,500 SILIGURI, 12 APRIL hief Minister Mamata Banerjee gave credit to the West Bengal police for the arrests of the two key suspects in the Bengaluru cafe blast case, even as she lashed out at BJP leaders who said the arrests proved that Bengal had become a safe haven for terrorists. Coming down heavily on the BJP leaders’ comments, Miss Banerjee said: “Is Bengal unsafe... is it a safe haven for militants? Is your Delhi safe? Our police have arrested two prime suspects behind the Bengaluru blast case within two hours from their hideout.” “Bengal is a peaceful state,” Miss Banerjee added as she addressed an election rally in Dinhata under Cooch Behar Lok Sabha Constituency today. Notably, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in association with West Bengal police arrested the two suspects from a hotel near Digha in East Midnapore in the early hours on Friday. Protesting against the indecorous words used by both the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Min- C ister Amit Shah, Miss Banerjee said: “Their language should be graceful. Are we thieves? You nab thieves in your BJP “What happened .” in Pulwama in 2019?The then Governor disclosed this exactly. As a result the Central agency raided the Governor’s residence,” Miss Banerjee said. Referring to the Prime Minister’s comments during his election campaigning in Bengal, Miss Banerjee said: “He lies a lot. He loves to promote himself. He showcased his photo during Covid Pandemic and stopped distribution of rice after six months. He should act in movies. He can act well. What is the need to act in the political arena?” Terming the Prime Minister as Modi Babu, Miss Banerjee said: “If the people love you why are you depend- ing on NIA, ED , CBI, ECI and even Judiciary? What are your partymen doing? Why are you lying? How can you give money from the property attached by the ED among the people? If you arrest a single TMC worker, hundreds of my partymen will do his job. It is tough to beat me.” Miss Banerjee urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct the Lok Sabha Polls impartially. She warned a few top district officials in Cooch Behar for the role they are currently playing and asked: “Why are you afraid?” “If you fail to act impartial role, go to Delhi or you may go to the house of Nitish Pramanik,” she said, branding the sitting MP as a mafia leader. “If any motorcycle rallies are organised by BJP backed goons with the help of the Border Security Force in 48 hours from 17 April in Cooch Behar, stern action will taken against officials after Model Code of Conduct is over,” she said. Miss Banerjee asked her North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guho to keep a calm head and maintain a close watch on the situation. “Trinamul means cool. Keep cool yourself otherwise they will vote for BJP with the help of BSF Ms Banerjee added. ,” Miss Banerjee also criticised the ECI since it has not yet granted permission for disbursement of funds for the construction of homes for those who were rendered homeless by a storm in Maynaguri in Jalpaiguri and its adjoining areas. During her speech, CM asked storm victims to start construction of their houses under Banglar Bari Prakolpo. “Administration has already given Rs 20,000 to each family. Administration will also provide you Rs 40,000, which is second instalment. The state government will provide you Rs 1.2 lakh for the construction of your homes. You will be getting the third instalment of Rs 60,000 later,” she said. BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 92.112.37 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 12 APRIL The two key accused in the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case, Mussavir Hussain Shazib, the man who carried out the bombing, and Abdul Matheen Taha, said to be the mastermind behind the incident, were arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from Contai in East Midnapore early on Friday. The NIA, in a statement, said its teams were successful in tracing the absconding accused to their hideout, near Digha, where they were hiding under false identities. The NIA said that "this pursuit was supported by coordinated action and cooperation among the NIA, central intelligence agencies and the state police agencies ofWest Bengal, Telangana, Karnataka and Kerala". Shazib alias Shazeb (30), is a resident of Thirthahalli town in Karnataka's Shivamogga district. The other arrested conspirator, Taaha alias Matheen alias Vignesh. D alias Sumit was also wanted in other cases. “Shazib is the accused who placed the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at the The home voting facility of the poll panel is aimed at empowering voters who encounter barriers to participating in the electoral process at the polling stations. sonnel with secrecy of voting diligently maintained. In Rajasthan’s Churu, eight PwD voters, all from the same family, exercised home voting facilities, underlining the strength of India’s electoral democracy. In Chhattisgarh, 87- year-old Indumati Pandey and 86-year-old Sonmati Baghel, from Bastar and Sukma tribal districts, exercised their franchise using the postal ballot at home and expressed their gratitude to ECI for the facility. In Maharashtra, ECI polling teams travelled 107 km to provide home voting facility to two elderly voters in Sironcha town in Gadchiroli district, left wing extremism (LWE) affected area. BR Mishra from Jaysingh Nagar, Madhya Pradesh, after availing home voting said: “The duty you have done is commendable, you have done a very good job, I can say that the way you have discharged your duties is extraordinary, if all of us work like this then we will make our country proud.” cafe and Taha is the mastermind behind the planning, execution of blast, and subsequent evasion from the clutches of law,” NIA sources said. Confirming the arrests, West Bengal Police said: "Two suspects in the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case have been arrested from East Midnapore in a joint operation by the West Bengal Police and the central intelligence agencies. "The proactive role of the West Bengal Police in the matter has been officially acknowledged by the Central Agencies. West Bengal has never been a safe haven for terrorists and the state police will continue to remain ever-vigilant in keeping its people safe from nefarious activities," the statement read. Shazib has been using a forged driving license in the name of Mohammed Juned Sayed and similar forged ID documents to conceal his identity. Taha was using Hindu identity documents, a forged Aadhaar in the name of Vignesh, and other similar forged ID documents. His other aliases are Mohammad Junai Hussain and Mohammed Juned Sayed. According to the NIA, the low intensity Improvised Explosive Device (IED) bomb was manufactured in Cuddalore city of Tamil Nadu. Centre advises citizens against travel to Iran, Israel STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 12 APRIL STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 12 APRIL The sun bursts through clouds in the evening sky behind the Jagannath temple, in Puri on Friday. SNS ECI issues notification for 3rd phase of LS elections STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 12 APRIL The Election Commission of India on Friday issued the notification for the third phase of voting in the 18th Lok Sabha election. The filing of nominations began following the notification issued by the poll panel. In the third phase, polling will be held in 94 parliamentary constituencies (PCs) spread across 12 states and Union territories (UTs). The states/UTs included in the third phase are Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Dadra SP SHARMA UDHAMPUR (J&K), 12 APRIL PM Narendra Modi being felicitated during a public meeting ahead of Lok Sabha polls, in Udhampur on Friday. ANI but this is the election to form a strong government in the country. When the government is strong, it governs A combination of pictures shows the two key absconders, identified as Abdul Matheen Taha and Mussavir Hussain Shazeb, who were arrested by the NIA team in the Rameswaram Cafe blast case, on Friday. ANI India likely to participate in global peace conference in Switzerland on Ukraine SIGHT OF THE DIVINE Paramilitary personnel conduct a flag march ahead of the LS polls, in Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, on Friday.ANI and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. According to the notification, 19 April is the last date of filing of nominations and the scrutiny of nominations will take place on 20 April. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is 22 April. The 94 Lok Sabha seats include 26 seats from Gujarat, 14 from Karnataka, 11 from Maharashtra, 10 from UP, 8 from Madhya Pradesh, seven from Chhattisgarh, five from Bihar, four each from Assam and West Bengal, two from Goa, two from Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and one from Jammu and Kashmir.The polling in the 94 parliamentary constituencies along with Betul LS seat will take place on 7 May. EC reviews preparedness for first phase: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday reviewed preparedness for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, scheduled to take place on 19th April. The poll panel asked over 350 observers to ensure smooth, free and fair polling on 19 April. J&K to get statehood, assembly elections not far, says PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will get statehood, and time is not far when Assembly elections will be held here. Mr Modi was addressing a largely attended election rally in Udhampur in favour of two BJP candidates ~ Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and Jammu MP Jugal Kishore. The PM said: “This election is not just to elect MPs IT’S NOT IN MY HANDS: ISHAN ON T20 WORLD CUP SELECTION Blast suspects’ arrest: Key accused in Bengaluru cafe blast were hiding CM credits state police under false identities ECI: ‘Home voting’ for elderly, specially abled The Election Commission on Friday said that for the first time in Lok Sabha elections, it is facilitating ‘home voting’ for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PwDs) across the country. The home voting facility of the poll panel is aimed at empowering voters who encounter barriers to participating in the electoral process at the polling stations. This facility is extended to senior citizens aged above 85 years and PwDs. “Voters in this category have already begun casting their votes for phase I and II of polling. This initiative marks a significant stride towards ensuring inclusivity and accessibility of the electoral process and in bolstering democratic participation,” the ECI said in a communiqué. The poll panel informed that there are over 81 lakh voters aged 85 years and above, and more than 90 lakh PwD voters registered across the country. Voters who availed the home voting facility in phase I polls have expressed gratitude and satisfaction for the initiative, it said. The ECI said voting from home takes place with involvement of a full contingent of polling staff and security per- P4 STATESMAN NEWS SERVIE Max: 35.2°C (-1) Min: 24.7°C (-1) SUN RISES SUN SETS 05:19 hrs 17:56 hrs MOON RISES MOON SETS 07:50 hrs 21:57 hrs Full Moon on 24 April NEW DELHI, 12 APRIL P9 Slams BJP leaders who said arrests proved that Bengal had become a safe haven for terrorists Min. 41 % STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE K. KAVITHA SENT TO 3-DAY CBI CUSTODY IN EXCISE POLICY CASE by challenging the challenges.” Referring to the confidence that has been built among the people of J&K in the past ten years, the PM said: “Modi thinks far ahead. What has happened so far is just a trailer. I have to get busy, creating a wonderful picture of a new Jammu and Kashmir. “This is the first time when terrorism, separatism, stonepelting and cross border shelling and firing are not the election issues. It used to make headlines in newspapers if a day passed peacefully in J&K. The situation has changed and confidence for the government has been built,” Mr Modi said. "I had told you to trust me and I will solve the problems you have been facing for the past 60 years. I had guaranteed dignity for the mothers and sisters here. I gave a guarantee that the poor would not have to worry about two meals a day. Today, lakhs of families of Jammu and Kashmir have the guarantee of free ration for the next five years." Mr Modi said that the weak Congress governments kept the Shahpur-Kandi Dam project stalled for decades and the waters of the Ravi kept flowing to Pakistan while the CMYK fields of the farmers in the arid Kathua and Samba districts remained barren. “Modi has given the guarantee to the farmers of diverting the Ravi waters to their fields and has fulfilled it. The electricity generated from the Dam will also benefit the people of J&K,” he said. Hitting out at the Congress and other ‘dynastic’ parties, Mr Modi said: “For the sake of power, they built a wall of Article 370 but due to your blessings, Modi demolished not only the wall but also restored the dignity of women here.” India on Friday indicated that it would participate in a high-level global conference in Switzerland in June to chart a path towards peace in Ukraine after more than two years of war. “India is open to any peace efforts to end the conflict...we have constantly favoured a settlement through dialogue and diplomacy,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a media briefing. (Photo) In that process, India has participated in some of the international meetings aimed at ending the conflict in Europe, he pointed out. His comments came in the wake of the announcement by the Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis that his country will host a high-level international conference in June with more than 100 countries invited to resolve the conflict. "Peace is at the heart of the Swiss spirit. Its humanitarian tradition plays a key role in this quest. Peace is not an abstraction, but a call to action that reflects our values and our responsibilities on the world stage," Mr Cassis had stated. The aim of the heads of state and government meeting is to develop a common understanding of a path towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Myanmar situation sIndia on Friday expressed concern over the security situation in Myanmar and advised Indian nationals travelling to the Southeast Asian nation to observe proper safety protocols. The government on Friday advised all Indians not to travel to Iran or Israel till further notice in view of the prevailing situation in the region. “All those who are currently residing in Iran or Israel are requested to get in touch with the respective Indian embassies there and register themselves,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. They are also requested to observe utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum, the MEA said in a statement. Earlier in the day, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India had "noted with concern the attack on Iranian diplomatic premises in Syria". "India is distressed at the escalating tensions in West Asia, and their potential to fuel further violence and instability. We urge all parties to avoid actions that go against commonly accepted principles and norms of International Law,” he said. "The security situation in Myanmar remains precarious and deteriorating. You heard about the fighting that is going on, specifically in Rakhine state and other areas,” Mr Jaiswal said at the media briefing. Noting that the government had issued an advisory some time back for Indian nationals there, he said those travelling to Myanmar should also take due care. The Indian Embassy in Yangon is also there to take care of them, he added. He said India has relocated its consulate staff at Sittwe, where the situation is precarious, to Yangon but the Indian Consulate at Mandalay is functioning as usual.
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