MONDAY 14 JULY 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00 X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR VIJAY LEADS PROTEST AGAINST TAMIL NADU CUSTODIAL DEATHS BIHAR CM PROMISES 1 CRORE JOBS, PRIVATE SECTOR BOOST P4 WEATHER Generally cloudy sky. Rain/thundershower very likely in some areas. Maximum and Minimum Temperature likely to be around 30˚C and 26˚C respectively. RAINFALL: 12.7 mm RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 97% P5 P9 Shukla’s Dragon capsule Mamata to lead 16 July march against harassment of Bengali to undock at 4.35 p.m. According to Axiom Space, the Crew Dragon is expected to splash down off the coast of California on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. IST MUSKAN BHATIA Min: 26.6 ˚C (-0.3) SUN SETS 18:24 hrs MOON RISES 21:05 hrs New Moon on 25 July THUMBNAILS Women devotees take part in Kalash Yatra during the month of Savan, in Bhopal on Sunday. n ANI FGD requirements for coal-fired plants eased: The requirement for mandatory installation of flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) systems at most coal-based thermal power plants has been relaxed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The new framework will restrict FGD mandates only to plants located within 10 kilometres of cities with a population exceeding one million. (Details on Page 10) After more than two weeks aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Indian astronaut Shubanshu Shukla is heading home, with science samples in tow and a suitcase full of memories. On Sunday, Shukla and his Axiom-4 crew will begin packing up experiments and personal items into SpaceX’s Dragon capsule for their return to Earth, NASA said in a statement. Updating the mission status for the return journey, NASA said on Friday that mission managers have given the “go” for the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew to board the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and undock from the ISS. The spacecraft is scheduled to undock from the space-facing port of the Harmony module at 4:35 p.m. IST on Monday, 14 July. According to Axiom Space, the Crew Dragon is expected to splash down off the coast of California on 15 July 2025, at 3:00 p.m. IST, following a series of orbital maneuvers. In a press statement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said after splashdown, Gaganyatri Shubanshu Shukla will undergo a week-long rehabilitation programme under the supervision of flight surgeons to help him AGENCIES KOLKATA, 13 JULY readjust to Earth’s gravity. The Axiom-4 mission, piloted by Group Captain Shukla and carrying veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, European mission specialists Slawosz UznanskiWi niewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), reached the ISS on 26 June. Aboard the space station, Shubanshu Shukla conducted a range of scientific experiments — from space farming to muscle regeneration. On Friday, ISRO shared an update on the status of seven microgravity experiments carried out as part of India’s participation in the Axiom-4 mission. Completed experiments include survival studies on Indian tardigrades, the effects of the space environment on muscle loss, the growth of methi and moong seeds, and a cyanobacteria-based study aimed at developing life support systems. The remaining three ~ involving microalgae, crop seeds, and the Voyager Display experiment ~ are nearing completion, ISRO said in a statement. These microgravity experiments ~ and the insights gained by Shukla during the mission ~ will contribute to India’s future space endeavours, including the development of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), planned for the early 2030s, and Chandrayaan-4, the country’s first human mission to the Moon, targeted for 2047. EAM Jaishankar on China visit to attend SCO meet NEW DELHI, 13 JULY STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 JULY biased towards pilot error and lacking in transparency. They have demanded that line pilots be included in the investigation process, at least as observers, to ensure transparency and accountability. The pilots' associations also questioned the selective media leaks hinting at pilot error ahead of the publication of the preliminary report. A preliminary report released by the AAIB on Saturday stated that both engines of the Air India Dreamliner lost thrust after the fuel cutoff switches moved from the ‘RUN’ to the ‘CUTOFF’ position, within seconds of takeoff. The cockpit voice recorder revealed that one of the pilots told the other that he did not turn off the fuel control switches. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to arrive in China’s Beijing on Sunday evening, his first trip to the neighbouring country in five years. While Mr Jaishankar has met his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of multilateral events, this would be his first trip to China since bilateral relations were severely strained following the violent Galwan Valley face-off between troops of the two countries at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in June 2020. The two countries are trying to ease tensions and improve ties that plummeted following the deadly clashes at the LAC five years ago.The incident had sharply escalated tensions and brought bilateral ties to a historic low. The External Affairs Minister, who is on a two-nation tour ~ Singapore and China ~ will arrive in Beijing after wrapping up the Singapore leg of his visit. Mr Jaishankar is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on Monday to discuss issues concerning India and China. The two leaders last met in February on the sidelines of a G20 meeting in Johannesburg. Mr Jaishankar will also attend a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign ULFA(I) says top leaders killed in military action; Indian Army denies involvement STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE GUWAHATI, 13 JULY The proscribed militant group, United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent, said on Sunday that drone attacks that it blamed on the Indian Army on one of its camps in Myanmar killed several of its top cadres and injured several others. An Indian Army spokesperson, however, denied Indian military involvement in the incident. According to a press statement issued by the banned outfit, the drone and missile attacks killed several top ULFA(I) leaders, including top commander ‘lieutenant general’ Nayan Medhi (alias Nayan Asom) (photo), ‘brigadier’ Ganesh Asom and ‘colonel’ Pradip Asom. The outfit claimed that the attacks took place at several camps located in speakers in BJP-ruled states NEW DELHI, 13 JULY Pilots’ unions say unfair to blame AI crew for crash India’s pilot associations have slammed the 'reckless speculation' around the Air India Boeing Dreamliner crash at Ahmedabad, as sections of the media have hinted that the pilots are to be blamed for the tragic incident. The Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA) on Sunday condemned 'insinuations of pilot suicide' as baseless and insensitive, saying the crew acted in line with their training for an emergency. “Speculation is irresponsible and cruel. There is absolutely no basis for such a claim at this stage… invoking such a serious allegation based on incomplete information is not only irresponsible, it is deeply insensitive,” ICPA said in a statement. The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA) has already criticised the preliminary investigation report, calling the tone of the probe P12 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Min. 78% TEMPERATURE Max: 32.3˚C ( -0.5 ) SUN RISES 05:00 hrs MOON SETS 08:08 hrs ‘IRAN OPEN TO U.S. SUNDAR STRIKES NUCLEAR TALKS IF NO TWICE, ENGLAND MORE ATTACKS ASSURED’ 175/6 AT TEA Myanmar between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Sunday. It said that nearly 150-plus drones manufactured in Israel and France were used in the attack. The Statesman has not independently verified these claims or the authenticity of the statements, and Guwahati-based spokesperson of the Indian Army, Lt Col Mahendra Rawat, was quoted by news agencies as saying: “There are no inputs with the Indian Army on such an operation.” Meanwhile, there were reports that camps belonging to the banned underground outfits National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were also targeted in attacks inside Myanmar territory, leading to deaths and injuries among cadres belonging to these groups. The reports have not been independently verified. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, meanwhile, told police that there was no involvement of Assam police or the state government. The Chief Minister, who spoke to reporters, also clarified that the state has not received any official communication from the central defence establishment regard- ing the reported strikes. “We need more clarity on the matter. If such an operation has taken place, the Indian Army will issue its own statement,” Mr Sarma added, saying the state was closely monitoring the situation. The ULFA(I), led by commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, is a breakaway faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom, which has waged a violent campaign for Assam's independence since the late 1970s. While the pro-talk faction led by Arabinda Rajkhowa entered peace negotiations in 2011, ULFA(I) continues to reject dialogue and has operated from sanctuaries in Myanmar and other neighbouring regions. India has in recent years increased pressure on insurgent groups operating from foreign soil, often in collaboration with neighbouring governments. Ministers' Meeting (CFM) in Tianjin on 15 July. Mr Jaishankar's visit follows visits by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who had travelled to China in June for the SCO meetings. Wang Yi is also expected to visit India next month to meet NSA Ajit Doval - part of a planned round of dialogue under the Special Representatives (SR) mechanism aimed at resolving the decades-old boundary dispute. New SDG index shows stronger progress in N-E NEW DELHI, 13 JULY With better data systems, broader district coverage and stronger state involvement, the 2023-24 edition of the NER District SDG Index offers a more refined and reliable picture of the development journey of India’s North-eastern Region. The 2023-24 index shows remarkable progress in several areas. All districts in Mizoram, Sikkim and Tripura have now achieved ‘Front Runner’ status. Hnahthial in Mizoram emerged as the top-performing district. States like Nagaland and Tripura showed well-balanced and strong performance across various goals. Compared to the first edition, the proportion of districts in the Front Runner category has increased from 62 per cent in 2021-22 to 85 per cent in 2023-24. AGENCIES Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will lead a march on Wednesday to protest against reported attacks on Bengalispeaking individuals in BJPruled states. Chandrima Bhattacharya, the state Finance Minister and President of the Trinamul Mahila Congress, announced that the rally on 16 July will commence at 1 pm from College Square and conclude at Dorina Crossing. In addition to Kolkata-based participants, Trinamul Congress workers from Salt Lake will join the procession. Concurrent protest rallies are scheduled across various districts on the same day, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mrs Bhattacharya urged citizens from all walks of life, irrespective of political affiliation, to participate. "This is not about party lines—it’s a protest against aggression towards the Bengali-speaking community," she stated. She highlighted the cultural contribution of Bengal, citing that both the National Anthem and National Song were penned by Bengali poets— Rabindranath Tagore and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. “Bengal has produced the largest number of revolutionaries who fought for India’s freedom. Such attacks against the Bengali-speaking population are unacceptable and will be met with nationwide protest,” she added. Mrs Bhattacharya alleged that in Jamunanagar, Delhi, utility services ~ electricity and water ~ have been severed in homes occupied by Bengali-speaking residents. A Trinamul team will visit the affected area to assess the situation. “The BJP is deliberately creating a climate of fear. Such incidents are common in BJP-ruled states like Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Assam. It undermines the constitutional right to free movement. It’s as if being Bengali-speaking disqualifies one from being Indian,” she remarked. Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the Martyrs’ Day meeting on 21 July. Rallies across the state are encouraging public participation. Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to address the gathering. Trinamul Congress President Subrata Bakshi held a meeting with senior police officials on Friday to coordinate traffic arrangements for the event. The party anticipates record turnout, as this will be the final major gathering before the Assembly elections in May 2026. Murmu nominates Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Ujjwal Nikam, two others to Rajya Sabha STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 JULY President Droupadi Murmu Sunday nominated four distinguished individuals to the Rajya Sabha. The nominees are Harsh Vardhan Shringla, former Foreign Secretary of India; Ujjwal Devram Nikam, Special Public Prosecutor known for handling high-profile cases, including the successful prosecution of 26/11 Mumbai attacker Ajmal Kasab; Meenakshi Jain, eminent historian, researcher, and academician recognised for her extensive work on Indian history; and C Sadanandan Master, BJP leader and noted social worker and educationist from Kerala, known for his grassroots initiatives and community service. Welcoming the nominations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to the four distinguished individuals. In a series of posts on the social media platform X, the Prime Minister highlighted the contributions of each nominee.