MONDAY 14 APRIL 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00| LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR HELLO TO TARIFFS WILL MEAN GOODBYE, DOLLAR PROFITS ‘PAUSE, REVIEW, REPEAL AMENDMENT TO RTI ACT’ P7 ‘IDEAL TIME TO REVIVE COOPERATIVE SECTOR’ P4 P3 T20s: KOHLI COMPLETES 100 HALF-CENTURIES P12 Bengal: Tension eases in Murshidabad after Waqf protests STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 13 APRIL: T he situation in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, which witnessed widespread unrest following protests against the Waqf Amendment Act, is now under control, according to Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the DGP confirmed that no fresh incidents of violence had been reported in the past 24 hours. So far, three people have died in connection with the unrest. To maintain law and order, 17 companies of central forces have been deployed, including US tariff exemption on electronics: India has clear edge over China AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 13 APRIL The Donald Trump administration’s decision to exempt smartphones, computers and other electronics imported to the country from reciprocal tariffs has given India a definitive edge over China, industry leaders have said. According to a US Customs and Border Protection notice, smartphones and computers would be excluded from US President Donald Trump's 10 per cent global tariff on most countries, and the much larger Chinese tariffs of 145 per cent. “Now, there will be no extraordinary disruption. This is the time to boost capacities and long-term trend against China will remain robust. However, the incredible shock of the last few weeks is a tectonic event and the realignments are bound to happen,” said Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman, India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA). The ICEA represents major smartphone companies and their original equipment manufacturers, including Apple, Foxconn, Dixon, etc China still faces 20 per cent tariffs on iPhones, laptops, tablets and smartwatches and only reciprocal tariffs have been removed for China. On the other hand, India has “zero tariff” on iPhones and all smartphones, laptop and tablets exported to USA. Vietnam also has “zero tariff” on all Samsung (and others) smartphones, laptop and tablets exported to the USA. India and Vietnam are thus similarly placed on tariffs on above products and both enjoy 20 per cent tariff advantage over China. The US exemption applies to products entering the USA or removed from warehouses as early as 5 April, according to the Customs notice. The exemptions also include other electronic devices and components, including semiconductors, solar cells, and memory cards. The US tariff exclusions provide much-needed relief for the global technology sector, easing pressure across consumer electronics, semiconductors, and hardware, said Prabhu Ram, VP-Industry Research Group, CyberMedia Research (CMR). It offers meaningful reprieve to tech majors ~ especially Apple, which was caught in the crossfire ~ as well as the broader chip and hardware industries. With new laser weapon to shoot down aerial targets, India joins exclusive club AGENCIES KURNOOL, 13 APRIL India today joined the select group of nations, including the USA, China and Russia, with the capability of shooting down fixed-wing drones and swarm drones using a highenergy 30-kilowatt laser beam. The successful trial of the Mk-II(A) Laser- Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system was showcased at the National Open Air Range (NOAR), Kurnool, mastering the technology of disabling missiles, drones and smaller projectiles, Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) officials told ANI here. Success has put India in the exclusive and limited club of nations that possess the high-power Laser-DEW. Speaking with ANI news agency, DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat said: “As far as I know, it is the United States, Russia and China that have demonstrated this capability. Israel is also working on similar capabilities, I would say we are the fourth or fifth country in the world to demonstrate this system."Kamat said that this is just the "beginning of the journey", adding that DRDO is working on a number of technologies "that will give us Star Wars capability." “This is just the beginning of the journey. The synergy that this lab has achieved with other DRDO labs, industry and academia, I am sure we will reach our destination soon... We are also working on other high energy systems like high energy microwaves, electromagnetic pulse. So we are working on a number of technologies that will give us Star Wars capability. What you saw today was one of the components of Star Wars technologies,” Mr Kamat said. The i ndigenously designed and developed Mk-II(A) DEW system was demonstrated in its entire spectrum of capability by engaging the fixed-wing drones at long range, thwarting a multiple drone attack and destroying enemy surveillance sensors and antennae. Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel drawn from the BSF and CISF. Of these, eight companies have been posted in volatile areas of Murshidabad, while the rest remain on reserve. The state police has also dispatched 23 experienced officers from various districts for “special duty” in Murshidabad. Joint route marches by state police and central forces were conducted across several sensitive areas to reinforce public confidence. So far, around 180 individuals have been arrested in connection with the violence, which had spread to areas like Shamsherganj, Suti, and Jangipur. Meanwhile, BJP leader and Purulia MP and member of the Parliamentary consultative committee for home affairs, Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging the imposition of the Armed Forces(SpecialPowers)Act(AFSPA) in the affected districts. Top BJP leaders, including Leader of the Opposition in the Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, and state party president Sukanta Majumdar, staged a massive rally from College Square in Kolkata on Sunday over the Murshidabad violence. The party alleged that hundreds of Hindu families have been forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighbouring Malda district. BJP steps up attack on TMC govt STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 APRIL Stepping up its attack on TMC government in West over the violence in Murshidabad, the BJP on Sunday said this is a “state-encouraged” targeted violence against the Hindus. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, “Bengal is burning. The High Court has said it can’t keep its eyes closed and deployed central forces. Mamata Banerjee is encouraging such state pro- tected violence as the police stays silent.” “Mamata Banerjee’s government is fully involved in this violence. This is a targeted violence against the Hindus. Cars are being burnt and three killed,” he said in a video. He claimed that Hindu houses, and selectively their shops, are being set on fire, and the saffron flag was taken down. He also accused of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banarjee of doing appeasement politics.