WEDNESDAY 16 JULY 2025 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 Pages 16 |` 5.00 | LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR CONG QUESTIONS GOVT'S APPROACH TO CHINA TOP COURT REFUSES TO ENTERTAIN PLEA FOR AIMIM DEREGISTRATION P5 P6 SENSEX 82,570.91 p317.45 NIFTY 25,195.80 p113.50 ` vs $ 85.92 TRUMP SAYS USA TO SEND WEAPONS TO UKRAINE THROUGH NATO P11 GOLD `1,00,860 SHAFALI RETURNS TO TOP 10 IN T20I RANKINGS P16 SILVER `1,15,000 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 69.06 RAINFALL: 06.0 mm Shukla all smiles after safe return to Earth Execution of Kerala nurse on Yemen death row deferred RELATIVE HUMIDITY This was the first time an Indian had travelled to the International Space Station The execution of Nimisha Priya, a 37-year-old nurse from Kerala who is accused of murdering a Yemeni man, has been deferred, sources said on Tuesday. The execution was earlier fixed for Wednesday in Yemen. Priya is currently lodged in a jail in Yemen, facing the death penalty for the alleged murder of her former business partner, Talal Abdo Mehdi, in 2017. The WEATHER Generally Cloudy sky with one or two spells of light to moderate rain/ thundershower very likely to occur. Max. 98% Min. 91% President, PM welcome Shukla home MUSKAN BHATIA TEMPERATURE Max: 29.3˚C (-3.5) SUN RISES 05:01 hrs MOON RISES 21:40 hrs NEW DELHI, 15 JULY Min: 25.3˚C (-1.6) G SUN SETS 18:24 hrs MOON SETS 09:01 hrs New Moon on 25 July THUMBNAILS BSF personnel stand guard on the Amarnath Yatra route. nANI Tesla Model Y launched in India at Rs 60 lakh: Electric car-maker Tesla on Tuesday entered India, launching its Model Y vehicle with rearwheel drive at a starting price of Rs 59.89 lakh (ex-showroom). The Tesla Model Y Long Range rear-wheel drive will cost Rs 67.89 lakh, according to the price list published on its website. According to available information, the Tesla Model Y will initially be available in Mumbai, Delhi, Gurugram, with deliveries likely to start in the third quarter this year. (See Page 12) roup Captain Subhanshu Shukla, along with three other crew members of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, returned safely to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft on Tuesday. The capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 3:01 p.m. IST on 15 July, concluding their 18-day research mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Group Captain Shukla emerged from the capsule supported by the ground crew, waving with a broad smile on his face. His return marked a historic moment for India ~ this was the first time an Indian had travelled to the ISS. The Axiom-4 crew undocked from the ISS at 4:30 p.m. IST on Monday. Nearly 23 hours later, the spacecraft re-entered Earth’s atmosphere on Tuesday afternoon. During re-entry, the capsule deployed its automated NEW DELHI, 15 JULY parachutes, enabling a smooth and controlled descent into the Pacific Ocean at a speed of about 15 miles per hour. Following the soft landing, SpaceX and Axiom Space teams reached the site by boat to recover the crew. Ground personnel then conducted medical evaluations to assess the astronauts' health. For the next few days, the crew members will undergo a re-acclimatisation process to adapt to the Earth's gravitational conditions. In a press statement on Friday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said that after splashdown, Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla will undergo CM Mamata slams Centre for withholding flood relief funds STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 15 JULY Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee once again targeted the Centre over the flood-like conditions affecting various parts of Bengal, alleging that the state continued to be deprived of central funds despite severe flooding that has left vast areas in floodprone districts marooned. Criticising the Centre, Miss Banerjee stated that while Assam had received central relief for floods, West Bengal was yet to benefit from such aid. “This is despite the irrigation department repeatedly apprising the Centre of the grim situation, and I personally writing to the Prime Minister with detailed information. But all efforts seem to have fallen on deaf ears. We’ve raised the issue at the Eastern Zonal Council Meeting and even in the Niti Aayog meeting, yet nothing has come of it,” she said. Speaking at a review meeting in Nabanna, Miss Banerjee remarked: “I’m sorry to say that with the rains continuing unabated, there appears to be little effort to regulate water releases from various dams, which is worsening the situation. As much as 27,000 lakh cubic metres of water has been released since 15 June. Some are trying to absolve themselves of responsibility, leaving our state to bear the brunt. We remain engaged in this struggle against the Centre’s deprivation, but no positive outcome has emerged.” Continuing her criticism, the Chief Minister further alleged that individuals who should be acting responsibly are failing to do so. “They’re only focused on votes, yet votes are meant to serve the people. Their actions, however, betray this principle—they’re doing a disservice by shirking their duties,” Miss Banerjee added. Urging the state administration to be more proactive, she directed District Magistrates, Police chiefs, Block Development Officers, and senior officials from departments like Disaster Management and Civil Defence across all districts to remain vigilant amidst the ongoing rainfall and widespread inundation. She called for immediate evacuation of vulnerable low-lying areas and insisted that officials ensure support for those displaced by the floods until they can safely return home once the situation improves. a week-long rehabilitation programme under the supervision of flight surgeons to help him readjust to Earth’s gravity. As part of the Axiom-4 mission – the fourth private human spaceflight operated by US-based Axiom Space – Group Captain Shukla started his maiden journey for the International Space Station (ISS) on 25 June. A day later, on 26 June, he arrived at the orbiting laboratory, becoming the first Indian to set foot on the ISS. Aboard the space station, Group Captain Shukla conducted a range of scientific experiments — from space farming to muscle regeneration. Mahua Moitra alleges illegal detention of Bengal workers in Chhattisgarh STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE RAIPUR, 15 JULY Trinamul Congress MP Mahua Moitra has alleged that nine labourers from her Lok Sabha constituency in West Bengal were wrongfully detained by police in Chhattisgarh’s Kondagaon district and falsely identified as illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. The workers were reportedly engaged in construction work at a private school in the Albeda Pada area when they were taken into custody on 12 July. In a strongly worded post on X, Ms Moitra accused the Chhattisgarh government and police of carrying out a “statesponsored abduction”. She claimed the workers, despite having valid identity documents, were arrested without warrants and sent to jail, without legal representation or access to their families. Outrage grows after FM College girl student’s death; Odisha bandh called on 17 July STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE BHUBANESWAR, 15 JULY The mortal remains of the 20year-old girl student who succumbed to severe burn injuries after a self-immolation attempt at FM Autonomous College in Balasore last week were consigned to the flames on Tuesday at her native village of Palasia. Her death late Monday night has sparked state-wide outrage, with Opposition parties calling for a judicial probe and the resignation of ministers and the Member of Parliament for Balasore. The girl had set herself ablaze on 12 July alleging sexual harassment and mental torture by an assistant professor of the institute, Sameer Sahu. She battled for life for over two days and was declared dead hours after President Droupadi Murmu visited her family at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Monday. Her passing, announced around midnight, triggered protests at the hospital. At Palasia village, the funeral drew a massive turnout. Local MP Pratap Sarangi and other political leaders were present. The victim’s father, while appealing for calm, urged people not to politicise the tragic incident. “The President, Chief Minister, and others met us and have assured us of justice,” he said. Tensions escalated further late Monday night, when Opposition activists from the BJD and Congress objected to what they alleged was a hasty and discreet removal of the body from the hospital for cremation. Today, the INDIA bloc, led by the Congress, called for an Odisha bandh on 17 July and urged students to hold candlelight vigils in her memory. The INDIA bloc , comprising eight parties, launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led state government, accusing Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Higher Education Minister Suryavanshi Suraj, MP Pratap Sarangi and the Balasore MLA of ignoring the girl’s repeated appeals for help. “She wrote to each of them but received no response,” they alleged. BJD president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in a strong statement, called the incident “institutional betrayal.” Condoling the death, he said her appeals for justice were ignored at every level. “She bravely wrote to the principal, the Higher Education Minister, the Chief Minister’s Office, and even met the MP. Yet, no one intervened. This is a failure of the system,” Mr Patnaik stated in a post on X. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Majhi expressed condolences and announced an ex-gratia of 20 lakh to the family. He said strict action would be taken against all those involved. President Droupadi Murmu andPrimeMinisterNarendra Modi were among the first to congratulate Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, on his safe return to Earth after an 18-day trip to the International Space Station. “A hearty welcome to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he comes back on Earth after his space journey. His role in piloting of Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station has created a new milestone for India’s space exploration,” President Murmu said in a statement on X. Mr Modi wrote: “I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As India’s first astronaut to have visited the International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams...” SNS STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 15 JULY execution has been postponed following "concerted efforts" by the Indian government, sources told a news agency, citing local authorities. The deferment provides additional time for her family to negotiate a mutually agreeable solution amid ongoing diplomatic efforts by Indian officials who have been maintaining regular communication with Yemeni jail authorities and the prosecutor's office to secure this reprieve, the sources said. The 37-year-old nurse from Kerala was set to be executed on 16 July, months after a trial court in Yemen convicted her of killing the Yemeni national. EAM raises Pahalgam attack at SCO meet NIKHIL VYAS NEW DELHI, 15 JULY Raising the Pahalgam terror attack at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) at Tianjin, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Tuesday called upon members of the ten-nation grouping, which also includes China and Pakistan, to combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism, the three evils it was founded to combat. Mr Jaishankar, who participated in the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting this evening in Tianjin said: “The three evils that SCO was founded to combat were terrorism, separatism and extremism. Not surprisingly, they often occur together.” “Recently, we in India witnessed a graphic example in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025. It was deliberately conducted to undermine the tourism economy of Jammu and Kashmir, while sowing a religious divide. The UN Security Council, of which some of us are currently members, issued a statement that condemned it in the strongest terms and underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice,” Mr Jaishankar said. “We have since done exactly that and will continue doing so. It is imperative that the SCO, to remain true to its founding objectives, take an uncompromising position on this challenge." This is also Mr Jaishankar’s first visit to China since the Galwan Valley clash in 2020, which severely strained ties between the two neighbouring countries.