FRIDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR AMBANIS TOP BLOOMBERG’S LIST OF ASIA’S RICHEST FAMILIES CONGRESS ACCUSES MANIPUR GOVERNOR OF VIOLATING ARTICLE 174 P10 'SEEK PERMISSION BEFORE MEETING SHINDE SENA LEADERS' P4 P5 SENSEX 76,138.97q32.11 WEATHER SMOG/MIST LIKELY IN THE MORNING.PARTLY CLOUDY SKY. OCCASIONAL STRONG SURFACE WINDS(SPEED 25-35 KMPH) LIKELY DURING THE DAY. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 26 AND 10 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 75% Min.33% Max: 24.8 °C (+1.4 ) SUN RISES 06:59 hrs MOON RISES 19:53 hrs Min: 12.0 ˚C (+1.8) SUN SETS 18:11 hrs MOON SETS 08:27 hrs TEMPERATURE THUMBNAILS Women pose for a picture at Paradox Museum on the eve of Valentine's Day in Mumbai on Thursday. n ANI Two killed, several injured as two elephants run amok at Kerala temple festival: In a tragic incident, two people were killed and several others injured after two elephants ran amok during a festival at Manakulangara Temple at Kuruvangad near Koyilandy in Kerala’s Kozhikode. The deceased has been identified as Leela (68) and Ammukkutty (65), both natives of Kuruvangad. NIFTY 23,031.40q13.85 ` vs $ 86.92 GOLD 88,295.00 PM, Gabbard discuss counter-terrorism PM Modi fondly recalled his earlier interactions with Ms Gabbard NIKHIL VYAS NEW DELHI, 13 FEBRUARY A head of his crucial talks with President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a key meeting with US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in Washington with their discussions focusing on enhancing intelligence cooperation in counterterrorism. The meeting was held just hours after Ms Gabbard was sworn in as US Director of National Intelligence at a swearing-in ceremony in the White House. After the meeting which took place late Wednesday night, PM Modi in a post on X said: “Met USA’s Director of National Intelligence, @TulsiGabbard in Washington DC. Congratulated her on her confirmation. Discussed various aspects of the IndiaUSA friendship, of which she’s always been a strong votary." The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said: “PM @narendramodi met with USA’s Director of National Intelligence, @TulsiGabbard in Washington DC. They discussed various aspects of the India-USA friendship." The Prime Minister fondly recalled his earlier interactions with Ms Gabbard. “The discussions touched on enhancing bilateral intelligence cooperation, particularly in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, emerging threats, and strategic intelligence sharing. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest, reaffirming their commitment to a secure, stable, and rules-based international order,” the PMO said. All eyes are on the Prime Minister's meeting with President Donald Trump which will take place late tonight. The two leaders are expected to discuss a whole range of bilateral issues and global developments. After the bilateral meeting with President Trump at the White House, both leaders will deliver a joint press statement followed by a dinner hosted by the US leader late tonight. Mr Modi is expected to meet US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Indian origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy during his two-day visit to the United States. Earlier, Mr Modi arrived in the USA for a two-day visit at the invitation of US President Donald Trump. India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, and other officials welcomed him at the airport. This is PM Modi's first visit to the United States after Donald Trump assumed office for the second term. PM Modi later arrived at Blair House and greeted members of the Indian diaspora, who had gathered there to welcome him. People chanted “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Modi Modi” as they welcomed him at the Blair House. GAMBHIR URGES HARSHIT TO STEP UP IN BUMRAH’S ABSENCE P12 SILVER 1,07,000 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 74.18q1.00 President’s rule imposed in Manipur, Assembly under suspended animation ABHIJIT DEB IMPHAL, 13 FEBRUARY Manipur was brought under President’s Rule on Thursday five days after the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who stepped down amid internal dissent within the state BJP unit and mounting pressure from the Opposition Congress. The Centre’s decision came after the ruling BJP party failed to reach a consensus on a new leader, plunging the violence-hit state into political uncertainty. A communiqué from the Rashtrapati Bhavan stated that President Droupadi Murmu, after reviewing the Governor’s report and other inputs, was convinced that “a situation has arisen in which the Government of that State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of India.” Biren Singh, a former footballer-turned-politician and two-term BJP Chief Minister, resigned on Sunday after meeting with the party’s central leadership in Delhi. His departure followed growing dissent within the state BJP, where a faction of MLAs had been calling for his replacement over gover- nance issues and handling of the ongoing ethnic conflict between Meitei and Kuki communities. Despite efforts by BJP’s North-East in-charge Sambit Patra, who has been in Imphal negotiating with party MLAs, no consensus could be reached on a new Chief Minister. Initially, sources suggested a breakthrough on Tuesday, but differences among factions persisted, forcing the Centre to impose President’s Rule to prevent further instability. The political crisis in Manipur is unfolding against the backdrop of prolonged ethnic violence that erupted in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki communi- ties. Over 250 people have been killed, and thousands displaced, as armed clashes, arson, and targeted attacks have rocked the state. Despite heavy deployment of central security forces, sporadic violence has continued, worsening the humanitarian situation. The crisis has also seen the involvement of armed militant groups , with security forces launching crackdowns on these outfits. The Congress, sensing an opportunity amid BJP’s internal strife, had been preparing to move a no-confidence motion against the Biren Singh government. The opposition accused the BJP of mishandling the ethnic conflict and failing to restore normality. Mr Singh’s resignation was seen as a preemptive move to avoid a political embarrassment in the state assembly. However, the BJP's inability to decide on a new leader has exposed deep divisions within the party. The Centre’s decision to impose President’s Rule suggests a temporary pause as it seeks to resolve internal conflicts and chart a way forward.