MONDAY 20 JANUARY 2025 www.thestatesman.com INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 Pages 12 |` 5.00 | LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR IMPEACHED PRESIDENT'S ARREST SPARKS RIOTS IN SOUTH KOREA FIR AGAINST RAHUL FOR ‘FIGHTING AGAINST INDIAN STATE’ REMARK P9 WEATHER Partly cloudy. Hazy in the evening. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 26°C and 15°C respectively. P8 3 Israeli hostages released, 90 Palestinians to follow in first exchange AGENCIES Max. 79 % Min. 69 % DEIR AL-BALAH, 19 JANUARY Min: 15.3˚C SUN SETS 17:16 hrs MOON SETS 10:10 hrs ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took hold in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, ushering in an initial six-week period of calm and raising hopes for the release of dozens of militant-held hostages and an end to the devastating 15-month war. After a last-minute delay by Hamas put off the truce’s start by nearly three hours, highlighting its fragility, the first three hostages released from Gaza under the ceasefire deal reached Israel later on Sunday. The truce, which started at 11:15 a.m. local time, is the first step toward ultimately ending the conflict and returning nearly 100 hostages abducted in Hamas’ 7 October 2023 attack on Israel. Romi Gonen (24), Emily Damari (28), and Doron Steinbrecher (31), were released. Gonen was abducted from the Nova music festival, while the others were kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar Aza. TEMPERATURE Max: 26.2˚C SUN RISES 06:18 hrs MOON RISES 22:57 hrs A New Moon on 29 January THUMBNAILS Tourists enjoy a shikara ride at Dal Lake on a sunny day in Srinagar on Sunday. n ANI 719 candidates left in the fray for Delhi Assembly elections: A total of 719 candidates remained in the fray for the Delhi Assembly elections on Sunday after 1,522 nomination sets, including multiple ones, were filed before scrutiny by Election Commission ahead of the polling on 5 February, an official said. The final list of candidates in each of the 70 constituencies will be out on Monday – the last day for withdrawal of names by eligible candidates. Massive fire breaks out at Mahakumbh STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE MAHAKUMBH NAGAR, 19 JANUARY Damari is an Israeli-British dual citizen. Footage showed the three women walking to Red Cross vehicles in Gaza City, surrounded by a crowd that swelled into the thousands as people held up cellphones and scrambled onto cars. In Tel Aviv, thousands of people who gathered to watch the news on large screens erupted in Relatives of the women jumped, clapped and wept. “An entire nation embraces you,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. Next up was the release of 90 Palestinian prisoners later Sunday. In the Israelioccupied West Bank, fam- ilies and friends gathered excitedly as cars honked and people waved the Palestinian flag. In the interval between 8:30 a.m, when the ceasefire was due to start, and when it actually took hold, Israeli fire killed at least 26 people, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. It did not say whether they were civilians or fighters. The military has warned people to stay away from Israeli forces as they retreat to a buffer zone inside Gaza. Israel’s hard-line national security minister, meanwhile, said his Jewish Power faction was quitting the government in protest over the ceasefire agree- ment. Itamar Ben-Gvir’s departure weakens Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition but will not affect the truce. In a separate development, Israel announced it had recovered the body of Oron Shaul, a soldier killed in the 2014 Israel-Hamas war, in a special operation in Gaza. The bodies of Shaul and another soldier, Hadar Goldin, remained there after the 2014 war and had not been returned. The ceasefire deal was announced last week after a year of mediation by the United States, Qatar and Egypt. The outgoing Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trump’s team had both pressed for an agreement to be reached before the inauguration on Monday. Mr Netanyahu on Saturday warned that he had Mr Trump’s backing to continue fighting if necessary. The 42-day first phase of the ceasefire should see 33 hostages returned from Gaza and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees released. (More on Page 9) P12 ‘Bangladeshi-origin’ man arrested for attack on actor Saif Ali Khan AGENCIES MUMBAI, 19 JANUARY Mumbai Police on Sunday arrested a Bangladeshi national accused of stabbing Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan at his home, a senior officer confirmed. The accused, identified as Mohammad Shariful Islam Shahzad (30), was picked up from neighbouring Thane city early Sunday and brought to Mumbai. Deputy Commissioner of Police Dixit Gedam, who confirmed the arrest. told the media that Shahzad, a Bangladeshi national, had changed his name to Vijay Das to hide his Bangladeshi origins in India. Mr Gedam said police have recovered some items from him that indicate he is not of Indian origin. Shahzad has been living in Mumbai for about six months. He was attached to a housekeeping agency. The motive behind the crime was robbery, the officer said. The accused was being grilled by teams from Mumbai police and the crime branch, added Mr Gedam. A local court later in the day remanded Shahzad in police custody for five days till 24 January. Police have sought 14 days custody of the accused for further investigation but the court granted custody for only five days. The accused was produced before the local Bandra holiday court under heavy police protection at 1.30 p.m. Meanwhile, the accused’s lawyer refuted the police claims, asserting that his client is not a Bangladeshi national and he possesses several documents to prove his identity. The lawyer termed the police’s allegations as false. He has been made a scapegoat and has no involvement in the case, his lawyer said. Shahzad is booked under sections 311 (robbery or dacoity with the intent to cause grievous hurt or death, 331(4) (housebreaking), and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and Passport Act, 1967. Officers of the Bandra police and Mumbai crime branch grilled Shahzad at Khar police station where he had reportedly confessed to the crime. During the probe, the accused had repeatedly said: “Ha maine hi kiya (Yes, I did it).” A police officer who is part of the team probing the matter said that Shahzad was unaware that he had entered actor Khan’s residence. Shahzad told police that he saw his images on TV news after the incident and fled to Thane. He switched off his phone and hid near a labour camp in Thane. Police tracked down his phone's last known location, reached Thane, and arrested him. According to police, after crossing into the country “illegally”, Shahzad settled in Mumbai and found work at a bar in Thane, a satellite city on the outskirts of Mumbai. However, he left his job just a week before the attack, hoping to find a better job. According to the police, Shahzad also did not have any valid Indian identification documents. The accused has told police that he used the rear staircase and air-conditioning ducts to get inside the building. He also said it was the first time he had entered the building. Police have said they may recreate the scene with the accused. Earlier, the Railway Protection Force had on Saturday detained a man at Chhattisgarh's Durg railway station in connection with the attack on Saif Ali Khan. However, he was released on Sunday morning after he was found to have no involvement in the incident. (Another report on Page 5) Farmer leader Dallewal administered US envoy meets Modi, says Indo-US glucose, 121 farmers end fast-unto-death partnership will continue to grow As many as 111 farmers from Punjab and 10 farmers from Haryana on Sunday ended their fast-unto-death, taking juice from the hands of farmer leaders Kaka Singh Kotda, Sukhjeet Singh Hardojande, and Baldev Singh Sirsa. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE CHANDIGARH, 19 JANUARY Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal who has been on fast-unto-death for the last 55 days, agreed to accept medical assistance after the central government on Saturday announced a meeting with farmers in Chandigarh on 14 February. Glucose was administered to Mr Dallewal and 121 farmers ended their fast-unto-death on Sunday. However, Mr Dallewal said his fast would continue till their demands were met. The farmers' demands include a law to guarantee a Minimum Support Price for their produce. Mr GarcettiÊs meeting with PM Modi came a day before Mr Donald Trump's inauguration as America's 47th President. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India at Mr Trump's inauguration. NEW DELHI, 19 JANUARY AGENCIES A massive fire broke out in pandals located in Sector 19 under the Shastri Bridge at the Mahakumbh venue in Prayagraj on Sunday. Around 200 tents were impacted by the fire, while around 20 tents were razed to ashes. Though no one was injured in the fire, valuables were reported to have been destroyed. Several LPG cylinders also exploded in the fire. According to reports, the fire started from the Gita Press tent. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was at the Mahakumbh venue, visited the spot soon after the incident and reviewed the relief and rescue operations. (SEE PAGE 8) P6 Fragile ceasefire take hold in Gaza RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY AUS OPEN: DJOKOVIC TO FACE ALCARAZ IN QF TRUMP’S RETURN As many as 111 farmers from Punjab and 10 farmers from Haryana on Sunday ended their fast-unto-death, taking juice from the hands of farmer leaders Kaka Singh Kotda, Sukhjeet Singh Hardojande, and Baldev Singh Sirsa. Earlier, Priyaranjan Das, joint secretary, of the Union Agriculture Ministry visited Mr Dallewal and other farmer leaders at the Khanauri border on Saturday night and said that talks between the central government representatives and farmer leaders would resume on 14 February. Three Union ministers in the Narendra Modi government 2.0 had four rounds of talks with farmers last year in February. Members of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Sayunkt Kisan Morcha (nonpolitical) have been camping at Haryana-Punjab borders since last February after unsuccessful attempts to move towards New Delhi as the Haryana government has sealed the borders with concrete barricades. Outgoing US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Sunday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his family for a 'final' meeting and later said the partnership between the two countries has reached new heights due to the efforts of PM Modi and President Joe Biden. His meeting with PM Modi came a day before Mr Donald Trump's inauguration as America's 47th President. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India at Mr Trump's inauguration. In a social media post on X, Mr Garcetti said: "Had a great final visit with PM Modi with my family. It's clear that he and President Biden have raised our compelling and consequential US-India partnership to new heights--record visas, record trade, record defence collaboration, record space cooperation, record students, record investments and so much more." He expressed his gratitude to PM Modi and the people of India for their warm hospitality.He underlined that the US-India partnership has become indispensable and will continue to grow stronger in the coming years. “What was seen as unthinkable a generation ago will seem as indispensable a generation from now, thanks to the work of these leaders and the people of our nations. Thank you Prime Minister and thank you to all Indians. It's been a daily joy to help co-write this chapter with you,” he added. Mr Garcetti's last official engagement in India was the inauguration ceremony of the US Consulate office in Bengaluru on Friday along with Mr Jaishankar. “We are not beginning a new presence here. In Karnataka, but are expanding our existing presence here, a commitment that America makes to this great state and city in this amazing nation as well. And thank you to all of our honourable dignitaries,” he said. The US Ambassador also highlighted the rich history of US-India relations, dating back to 1776 when the US opened its second-ever consulate in Kolkata, India. He noted that the recent inauguration of the US Consulate office in Bengaluru marks an expansion of the US presence in India, rather than a new beginning. Mr Jaishankar announced on the occasion that India will open its Consulate in Los Angeles. Classic cars and elegance take centre-stage at 54th Statesman Vintage Car Rally ANWESHA SANTRA KOLKATA, 19 JANUARY The grounds of the Royal Calcutta Turf Club transformed into a shimmering time capsule on Sunday as over 120 vintage masterpieces roared to life, tipping their hats to the 54th edition of The Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally. Flagged off at 10 in the morning by Mrs Ashima Srikanth, regional vice president of the Army Wives Welfare Association (and the better half of Lt Gen. RC Srikanth, Chief of Staff, Eastern Command), this parade of timeless classics wound its way through the heart of Kolkata, from CR Avenue in the north to Ashutosh Mukherjee Road in the south, covering a total length of approximately 25 km, while an enthusiastic sea of spectators turned the streets into a symphony of cheers and camera flashes. The 54th Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally unfolded like an opulent stage play, with its stellar cast of automotive royalty captivating the audience. New entries glimmered alongside beloved classics, creating a pageant of elegance and engineering marvels. Leading the convoy was the dignified elder, a scarlet 1906 Renault Freres, lovingly rejuvenated by Shrivardhan Kanoria. Close behind were other four-wheeled luminaries: Ananda Chowdhury’s parakeet-green 1913 Gebrüder Stoewer, SK Lahiri’s sleek sapphire-blue Plymouth (endearingly nicknamed ‘Nilu’) and the star-studded 1963 Triumph Spitfire 4, famously owned by Bollywood’s Jackie Shroff. Adding a touch of wartime drama was a formidable 1971 Mercedes Benz, a triumphant relic driven to Kolkata from Dhaka as a war trophy during the Bangladesh Liberation War, and an Austin Sheerline, a paragon of grandeur. The sophisticated 1938 Adler shared the limelight with the stately 1948 Rover 75 and an Oxford blue 1951 Austin A40 Somerset. Stealing the show were a 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III, once the chariot of Sir Roger Lumley, Governor of Bombay, and another Rolls-Royce with an illustrious past, once owned by India’s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad. Adding cinematic flair was an Austin with its storied history of chauffeuring screen legends Uttam Kumar and Kishore Kumar. The quirky 1956 Lambretta LD 150, owned by Lt Col. Nitin Shrestha, injected a dose of whimsy, while a Vespa, seemingly plucked from the frames of Roman Holiday, epitomised timeless charm. A fiery red 1973 Ideal Jawa and a venerable 1949 Norton Dominator drew admiring glances from motorcycle enthusiasts. The rally wasn’t merely a showcase of gleaming machines but a living tableau of vintage elegance. Many participants adorned themselves in period costumes, turning the event into a cinematic walk down memory lane. Speaking to The Statesman, Prof. (Dr) Ananda Chanda, a veteran member of the judges’ panel, shed light on the meticulous parameters of judgment: “We evaluate authenticity, mechanical integrity, interiors and coachwork. This year’s rally also featured a post-war section for vehicles manufactured after 1939. However, the Indian heritage class, like Ambassadors and Fiats, was not included this time.” The day was graced by notable personalities, including the Minister for IT and Electronics, Government of West Bengal, Mr Babul Supriyo, and MP JuneMalia.Therallyalsodoubled as a cinematic launchpad, with the crew of the upcoming Bengali film Puratawn, starring Rituparna Sengupta, unveiling its teaser. Musical notes added to the festivity, as versatile singer Shrestha Das enthralled the crowd, while the mellifluous voices of Narayana School’s children added a harmonious touch. The evening saw the judges, led by Jitendra Pandit, announcing the eagerly awaited awards. Among others, Supriya Roy claimed the Statesman Trophy for Best Performance (Queen of the Rally) with her 1928 Studebaker and Surendra Kumar Dugar’s 1928 Essex picked up The Robin Mookerjee Trophy for Overall Performance among Vintage cars. The Indian Army Eastern Command’s Mercedes Benz won The Statesman Roadmaster Trophy for Best Road Performance among Classic cars. Reflecting on the event’s success, Vineet Gupta, Director of The Statesman Group, remarked: “Hosting the rally at RCTC grounds was initially daunting, but the outcome exceeded our expectations. With the majestic Victoria Memorial as a backdrop and soulful music filling the air, the rally came alive like never before.” Echoing the sentiment, Ravindra Kumar, Editor and Managing Director of The Statesman, extended heartfelt thanks to the Indian Army, Kolkata Police, sponsors, judges, participants and spectators for orchestrating a triumphant celebration of vintage magnificence. (List of winners: Pgs 2, 3)