FRIDAY 21 MARCH 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00| LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR 3 CMs AND K’TAKA DY CM CONFIRM PARTICIPATION IN DELIMITATION MEET JITENDRA SINGH, BILL GATES DISCUSS BIOTECH COLLABORATION P10 SENSEX 76,348.06p899.02 WEATHER MAINLY CLEAR SKY. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 34 AND 17 DEGREE CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 89 % TEMPERATURE P8 23,190.65p283.05 Min: 15.0 °C (1.5) SUN SETS 18:33 hrs MOON SETS 10:15 hrs THUMBNAILS People take out umbrellas to protect themselves from the blistering sun at Red Fort in New Delhi on Thursday. ANI India ranks lower than Pak in World Happiness Report: India ranked 118th in the World Happiness Report 2025 published Thursday, much lower than Pakistan, Nepal, Ukraine and Palestine. The report was published on the International Day of Happiness that falls on March 20 each year. While India ranked 118th of 147 countries, Pakistan ranked 109th. China has been placed at 68 and Nepal at 92, both faring much better than India. GOLD 91,105.00 P12 SILVER 1,14,000 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 71.04p0.26 30 Maoists, jawan killed in twin encounters in Chh'garh The encounters took place on the Dantewada-Bijapur border and in Kanker district S ecurity forces in Chhattisgarh killed at least 30 Maoists in two separate encounters in Bijapur and Kanker district on Thursday in a continuing crackdown on the left-wing extremists. A District Reserve Guard (DRG) jawan also died in the line of duty. Acting on intelligence inputs regarding a significant Maoist presence in the Gangaloor region at the Dantewada-Bijapur border, joint forces launched an operation that led to a prolonged exchange of fire. resulting in the elimination of 26 Maoists. District Reserve Guard (DRG) jawan, Raju Oyami, was also killed in the operation. The bodies of all slain Maoists have been recovered. The encounter is ongoing, with intermittent gunfire reported from both sides. Bastar Inspector General Sundarraj P confirmed that security forces have penetrated deep into Ambikapur INDIA CHHATTISGARH Bilaspur 4 Maoists killed in Chhotebethiya area of Kanker district RAIPUR Kanker Odisha 26 Maoists and a police Narayanpur jawan killed in Gangaloor Bijapur area of Bijapur Dantewada district Andhra Telangana Pradesh the Maoist stronghold, while Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Yadav stated that the operation is progressing as planned. Dantewada SP Gaurav Rai reported that security personnel from Hiroli had advanced strategically to strengthen the siege. In a parallel operation along the Kanker-Narayanpur border in southern Chhattisgarh, security forces killed four Maoist insurgents in a fierce ongoing firefight. Acting on Drawing a Red Line The central and Chhattisgarh governments have intensified efforts to dismantle Maoist networks, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah setting a target to make India Maoist-free by 31 March 2026. Since the beginning of 2025, security forces have killed at least 73 Maoists, while in 2024, approximately 300 were eliminated in various encounters. l Among the most significant encounters this year was the killing of 31 Maoists in Bijapur’s Indravati National Park on 9 February. intelligence of a significant Maoist gathering, the security forces encircled a large insurgent group, leading to the gunbattle. Security forces recovered four weapons, including an automatic SLR, from the encounter site. As forces tighten their grip and press deeper into the area, authorities expect the Maoists' death toll to rise, with the situation still unfolding and heavy exchanges of gunfire continuing unabated. l On 16 January, security forces eliminated 18 Maoists at the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. l On 12 January, five Maoists, including two women, were killed in an operation in Bijapur’s Madded area. Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed Thursday's operations as a significant milestone in the Naxal-free India campaign. reaffirming the govt’s zero-tolerance policy toward insurgents who reject surrender and rehabilitation offers. These operation are part of a sustained crackdown on Maoist insurgency in Chhattisgarh. Since the beginning of 2025, security forces have killed 73 Maoists, while in 2024, approximately 300 were eliminated in various encounters. The central and state governments have intensified efforts to dismantle Maoist networks, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah setting a target to make India Maoist-free by 31 March 2026. Meanwhile, in the Thulthuli region along the Narayanpur-Dantewada border, an improvised explosive device (IED) blast injured two jawans. Both are reported to be in stable condition, while security forces have launched search operations in the region. The Chhattisgarh police, along with DRG and STF units, have launched relentless operations to dismantle Maoist strongholds. Parliament Budget Session: Lok Sabha and Defence purchase proposals Rajya Sabha adjourned amid DMK protests worth `54,000 crore cleared STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE adjourned four times before adjournment for the day over the same issue. NEW DELHI, 20 MARCH Both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day without transacting any business on Thursday amid pandemonium, created after DMK members after entering Parliament in T-shirts with anti-delimitation slogans displayed on them. The DMK members arrived wearing the controversial Tshirts as soon as the Houses met for the day. Disapproving the mode of protest, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said it was not acceptable and against Parliamentary rules and decorum. He adjourned the proceedings thrice – once till 12 Noon, then again till 2 p.m, and finally for the day – over the issue. He directed the members to leave and return in proper attire, stressing that "however big a leader is, such undignified attire is not acceptable inside the House". He said it was not right to IPL 2025: RIYAN PARAG TO LEAD RAJASTHAN ROYALS IN FIRST 3 MATCHES P9 ` vs $ 86.36 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE RAIPUR, 20 MARCH Min. 16 % Max: 33.5 °C (+2.2) SUN RISES 06:23 hrs MOON RISES 01:05 hrs NIFTY FRENCH CITIZEN FREED AFTER OVER 880 DAYS IN PRISON IN IRAN wear T-shirts with slogans written on them. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi often comes to the House in a white Tshirt. The Lok Sabha Speaker also pointed towards the Congress leader. ''House functions with rules and procedures. Members have to maintain the dignity and honour of the House. But some MPs are not following the rules and violating the dignity which is not acceptable,” Mr Birla said when the House met at 11 a.m. The proceedings were then adjourned until noon. The DMK members have been trying to raise the issue of delimitation in the Lok Sabha, but the Speaker has rejected their pleas. DMK member T Siva arrived in Parliament wearing a T-shirt that said, "Fair Delimitation, Tamil Nadu will fight, Tamil Nadu will win." Meanwhile, proceedings in the Rajya Sabha were The Upper House was briefly adjourned shortly after the proceedings began. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar called a meeting of floor leaders at 11.30 a.m. to discuss “what he has seen in the House a while ago” without divulging any further details. However, the deadlock over the issue continued, when the House was adjourned finally for the day. While Mr Dhankhar did not explicitly state the reason for the adjournment, sources indicated that the issue of DMK members' T-shirts had been raised. He held discussions with party leaders, many of whom supported the smooth functioning of the House. Mr Dhankhar had earlier announced his intention to meet with political leaders to address the disruptions. NEW DELHI, 20 MARCH In a significant move to bolster India’s defence capabilities, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to eight capital acquisition proposals amounting to over Rs 54,000 crore. For the Indian Army the DAC has approved the procurement of a 1350 HP engine to upgrade the existing 1000 HP engine of the T-90 tanks. This upgrade will enhance the battlefield mobility of these tanks, particularly in high-altitude areas, by increasing their power-toweight ratio. The Defence Acquisition Council has also given the nod for the procurement of Varunastra Torpedoes (Combat) to strengthen the Indian Navy. Developed indigenously by the Naval Science and For the Indian Army the DAC has approved the procurement of a 1350 HP engine to upgrade the existing 1000 HP engine of the T-90 tanks. This upgrade will enhance the battlefield mobility of these tanks Technological Laboratory, these ship-launched antisubmarine torpedoes will significantly strengthen the Navy’s ability to counter underwater threats from adversaries. The Indian Air Force is set to receive a boost with the approval for the procurement of Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Aircraft Systems. These systems act as force multipliers that can enhance the effectiveness of all other weapon systems, transforming the operational capabilities of the Air Force. 25 nationals on death row in UAE, 11 in Saudi Arabia, executions pending: Govt AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 20 MARCH As many as 25 Indian nationals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and 11 in Saudi Arabia have been awarded death sentence but the judgement is yet to be implemented, the government informed Parliament on Thursday. Citing the "informal information" available with the local Indian Mission, the government also detailed that no Indian national has been executed in the UAE between 2020-2024. Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha on ‘Indians languishing in prisons in foreign countries’, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said in a written response that, as per the information available with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the number of Indian prisoners, including undertrials, in foreign prisons at present stands at 10,152. While revealing the country-wise list, the minister highlighted that, due to strong privacy laws prevailing in many countries, the local authorities do not share information on prisoners unless the person concerned consents to the disclosure of such information. Even countries which share information do not generally provide detailed information about the foreign nationals imprisoned, he mentioned. "The government attaches high priority to the safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals in foreign countries, including those in the foreign jails. Indian Missions/Posts abroad remain vigilant and closely monitor the incidents of Indian nationals being put in jail in foreign countries for violation/ alleged violation of local laws. As soon as the information about the detention/arrest of an Indian national is received by an Indian Mission/Post, it immediately gets in touch with the local Foreign Office and other concerned local authorities to get consular access to the detained/arrested Indian national to ascertain the facts of the case, confirm his/her Indian nationality and ensure his/her welfare," the minister informed. According to the details submitted by the MEA, as many as seven Indian nationals - three each in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and one in Zimbabwe - were either executed or given capital punishment in 2024. The number of Indian nationals who have been awarded death sentence but the judgment is yet to be implemented include 25 in UAE, 11 in Saudi Arabia, six in Malaysia, three in Kuwait and one each in Indonesia, Qatar, USA and Yemen. Failed honeytrap on K’taka state minister triggers political storm Elon Musk-owned X charges Central government with ‘arbitrary censorship’ LAKSHMANA VENKAT KUCHI BENGALURU, 20 MARCH Alarming allegations are being made in Karnataka Assembly; now honey-trapping as a political tool is what has got the House agitated after Karnataka Public Work Minister Satish Jarkiholi claimed that two such attempts were made on a senior Congress minister. Fortunately for the minister, the attempts failed. Mr Jarkiholi (photo) on Thursday claimed that two such attempts were made on a state minister and sought an investigation into the matter. As the honey trap issue, which sources said appeared to be linked to an internal Congress tussle, began to gain momentum, state Home Minister G Paramwshara ordered an investigation into the whole affair. Making startling revelations, state minister Jarkiholi said that a senior and influ- ential minister was the target of a honey trap twice but fortunately the attempts failed. He said that he also asked the minister to file a police complaint that will pave the way for thorough investigations into the cases. He said he had already discussed the matter with the home minister and also the Chief Minister and sought steps to be taken to prevent such activities in future. “It is not the first case of honey trap (of a Minister) in Karnataka. Leaders of all parties have been victims of honey trap including some in the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government,” Mr Jarkiholi said. This attempted honey-trapping was to tarnish the image of the minister, and what made the matters more politically intriguing is that the said attempt was allegedly made by a fellow party colleague. Incidentally, it was a BJP MLA who is also a former minister, Sunil Kumar, who brought up the matter in the Assembly on Wednesday. “Does it mean that one can go to any extent (of honey trapping) just to curb rivals/opponents?” the MLA questioned and said:“When state government itself is involved in honey trapping, then, whom should we advise?” He accused the Congress government of running a honey trap factory. On Thursday, the issue caught fire, with it being the talk of the town. Speaking to reporters, the state PWD minister condemned the incident and said politics should not involve such tactics. "We have asked the concerned minister to file a complaint, only then can the police act and launch an investigation," he said and added: “There is a strong need for a non-partisan fight against honey trapping, because leaders cutting across party lines fell victim to it. "In the earlier governments too there were victims of honey trapping, some names were heard, now our people's (Congress) names are heard, if it happens in the future too, it won't be surprising. This must end," Mr Jarkiholi said. BJP Karnataka state unit president BY Vijayendra too condemned the incident and said that there should be a thorough nvestigations into the whole affair. Agreeing on this, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar too said full-fledged investigation must be carried out in this case and urged the victim to file a police complaint. “Let a complaint be given to the police station first, let's get it investigated,” he told media. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE BENGALURU, 20 MARCH The Elon Musk-owned social media platform, X, has charged the central government with arbitrary censorship through misuse of its Information Technology Act while moving the Karnataka High Court on Thursday to take away the power of the government to issue blocking orders. In a petition moved in the Karnataka High Court, X challenged the use of Section 79 (3) (b) of the Information Technology Act to block content on its social media platform and sought restriction of enforcement of orders from the Sahyog Portal. Basically, what the social media platform wants is that Section 69 A remains the sole statutory mechanism for online content blocking. Interestingly the petition comes at a time when the Central government has asked for a clarification on responses generated by X's AI chatbot, Grok. The petition alleged that the government was misusing Section 79 (3) (b) of the Information Technology Act for content blocking. It alleged that the government was bypassing the statutory safeguards outlined in Section 69 A to issue blocking orders, which created an arbitrary censorship, and more important was harming its ability to operate in the country. In its petition, X Corp asserts that the misuse of Section 79 (3) (b) infringes on Constitutional rights, specifically Article 14, which guarantees equality before the law, and Article 19(1)(a), which ensures freedom of speech and expression. Further, the company is seeking a judicial declaration that Section 79 (3)(b) does not grant the government authority to issue blocking orders and wants all takedown orders under it invalidated. Incidentally, the Sahyog Portal, of the Union Home Ministry, allows police and various government departments to issue takedown requests and in this, it does not follow due process. The result is that thousands of officials issue content takedown requests, without due process, and it is unregulated censorship, the X petition maintained.