FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR | Wednesday, 10 September 2025 SPORTS NATION PERSPECTIVE Tariffs appeal could divide US top court unpredictably WORLD Israel targets Hamas leaders in Qatar strike Page 4 Page 7 BRIEFLY ACB submits report on Formula E scam, names KTR Page 9 PM Oli steps down as chaos grips Nepal for second day Nepal issue is for Centre, Bengal focused on border peace: Mamata STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kathmandu, 9 September ECI issues instructions to Bihar CEO: New Delhi: A day after the Supreme Court revised its directions related to the use of Aadhaar as proof in the process for Bihar electoral roll revision, the ECI on Tuesday issued instructions to the state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) over the new arrangement. The Election Commission told the CEO, “The Aadhaar Card shall be treated as the 12th document, in addition to the 11 documents listed in Annexure C and Annexure D of the SIR order dated June 24.” “The Aadhaar Card is to be accepted and utilised as a proof of identity and not as a proof of citizenship, in terms of Section 9 of the Aadhaar (Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2026,” said the ECI. Indian govt repatriates 67 Pak nationals: New Delhi: A total of 48 Pakistani fishermen and 19 Pakistani civilian prisoners, who had completed their sentences, were repatriated on Tuesday through the Attari/Wagah border crossing, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. "The Government of India attaches high priority to the issue of Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners in Pakistan’s custody and has urged the Government of Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of all Indian prisoners, including fishermen who remain in Pakistan’s custody," the MEA said in a statement. N epal was gripped by chaos for the second day on Tuesday as mass protests, largely driven by young citizens, shook the Himalayan nation’s political establishment, with several sitting ministers thrashed by protesters. Beleaguered Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned from his post, following widespread unrest that has left the country in shock. The violent protests have already claimed at least 19 lives and left over 400 injured. The protests began after police cracked down on youth-led demonstrations on Monday. The demonstrators, mostly students and young activists from what is being called the “Gen Z movement,” had gathered to demand an end to corruption and failures in governance. The crackdown turned violent when police opened fire on the crowds on Monday, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 400. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Siliguri, 9 September Protesters set the Parliament building on fire as the protest turned violent, in Kathmandu on Tuesday. AGENCIES The deaths triggered a much larger wave of protests across the country on the second day. In Kathmandu and several other cities, protesters stormed government buildings, vandalised political offices, and set fire to the private residences of leaders. Among the damaged sites were the Parliament building, Singha Durbar, which houses Jammu, 9 September Three soldiers of the Indian Army, including two Agniveers, • Related report on Pg 9 PM announces `1,500 crore relief package for flood-hit Himachal STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Shimla, 9 September Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday visited Himachal Pradesh to review the destruction caused by heavy rains, cloudbursts, and landslides. He conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas and later chaired a review meeting at Kangra. Announcing immediate relief measures, the Prime Minister declared financial assistance of Rs. 1,500 crore for Himachal Pradesh. The Centre will also release the second instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) in advance, along with benefits under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, sanction of houses under PM Awas Yojana, and restoration of damaged national HE ASSURED THAT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT WOULD EXTEND ALL POSSIBLE SUPPORT FOR THE RESTORATION AND REBUILDING OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN HIMACHAL PRADESH. highways. Relief under the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) and distribution of mini kits for livestock have also been approved. To support farmers, special aid will be extended to those without power connections. Damaged houses will be geotagged under PM Awas Yojana to ensure quicker compensation, while schools will also be enabled to report and geotag damages for timely support under Samagra Shiksha 3 troops killed in Siachen avalanche; one rescued STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE key ministries, and the Supreme Court. Even the Kathmandu District Court and several government quarters in Lalitpur were targeted. Former king Gyanendra, meanwhile, issued a rare statement urging young protesters to remain peaceful while continuing their demand for change. lost their lives after an avalanche struck their camp at the Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield, in the UT of Ladakh, official reports said on Tuesday. Miraculously, an officer survived after remaining buried under the avalanche for about five hours. The avalanche hit the troops of 19 Mahar Regiment during the wee hours this morning. The three soldiers were trapped under the avalanche at a height of more than 12500 ft, reports said. Captain Aviral Sharma, was was buried under the avalanche for nearly five hours, was saved and evacuated in a helicopter to the military hospital, reports said. The captain suffered frostbites of his hands and nose, it is learnt. The soldiers who lost their lives have been identified as Sepoy Mohit Kumar (Uttar Pradesh), Agniveers Dabhi Rakesh Devabhai (Gujarat) and Niraj Kumar Choudhary (Jharkhand). Abhiyan. Construction of recharge structures for water harvesting has been planned to improve groundwater management. The Union Government has already dispatched Inter-Ministerial Central Teams to assess the full extent of losses, based on which further assistance will be decided. During his visit, the Prime Minister met families affected by the disaster and expressed condolences to those who lost their loved ones. He announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 to the injured. Appreciating the role of NDRF, SDRF, the Army, State administration, and Aapda Mitra volunteers, Modi lauded their tireless efforts in relief and rescue operations. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said her government would respond with regard to the present situation in Nepal, only if the Centre instructs them to do so. “Nepal is not our country, it is a neighbouring country. So I cannot comment on this matter. The Government of India will make comments on such issues,” she told reporters at Kolkata Airport before leaving for Bagdogra in Siliguri. She added: “Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan ~ we love all our neighbouring countries. But at this moment, if the Government of India tells us something, only then will we speak. Otherwise, it is a matter for the Central Government.” The Chief Minister also urged people in border districts to remain calm. Asia Cup: India, Pakistan set for high-voltage clash Page 12 C P Radhakrishnan elected 15th Vice-President of India SHAHID K ABBAS New Delhi, 9 September C P Radhakrishnan (photo), the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee and incumbent Maharashtra Governor, has been elected as the 15th Vice-President of India, securing 452 votes in the election. The Opposition-backed candidate, B Sudershan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge, garnered 300 votes. Rajya Sabha Secretary General PC Mody, who was the Election Officer, made the announcement. “NDA nominee and Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan got 452 first preference votes. He has been elected as the Vice President of India... Opposition's vice-presidential candidate Justice Sudershan Reddy secured 300 first preference votes,” Mody told newsmen. Mr Radhakrishnan will serve as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and succeeds Jagdeep Dhankhar, who resigned on 21 July citing health reasons. He will serve as Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman for a full five year term. The electoral college consists of 781 members, including 239 Rajya Sabha MPs and 542 Lok Sabha MPs. A total of 767 MPs cast their votes, with 15 abstaining from the election. The NDA had a clear advantage from the beginning as the dynamics of the Electoral College placed him well above the majority mark of 391 required to win the election. Mr Radhakrishnan, 68, a politician from Tamil Nadu and an RSS veteran, had served two terms as a Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore during prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure. He later led the BJP in Tamil Nadu and has held various positions, including that of the Governor of Jharkhand and Maharashtra. His rival, B Sudershan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge was fielded by the united Opposition parties. Intellectuals and civil society leaders had backed his candidature, citing his impeccable integrity and commitment to social justice. The voting process saw several notable MPs casting their votes, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi. • More reports on Page 5 PM Modi announces `1,600 cr relief for flood-hit Punjab STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 9 September Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a financial assistance package of Rs 1,600 crore for Punjab, in addition to the Rs 12,000 crore already allocated for the state. He announced after he visited Punjab to review the flood situation and assess the damage caused by cloudbursts and heavy rain in affected areas. During his visit, PM Modi conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas and held an official review meeting with officials and elected representatives in Gurdaspur. As per the announcement: The second installment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) will be released in advance to support relief efforts. Advance disbursements will be made to farmers under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. Financial assistance will be provided under the PM Awas Yojana for rebuilding homes damaged in the floods. Efforts will be made to restore national highways and reconstruct schools damaged in the floods. Additional assistance will be provided to farmers who lack power connections, and support will be extended for refurbishing bores under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. PM Modi also announced comprehensive support for children orphaned due to the floods under the PM CARES for Children scheme, ensuring their long-term welfare. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh will be provided to the next of kin of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 will be given to those seriously injured in the floods. The Prime Minister expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the floods and assured that the Central Government will work closely with the State Government to extend all possible assistance. "Our thoughts are with the people in this challenging time," PM Mo di said, highlighting the government's commitment to supporting those affected by the floods. EAM Jaishankar stresses India’s commitment to articulate, assert, amplify voice of Global South STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 9 September External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Tuesday highlighted the sentiment and solidarity driving the Global South agenda during the 3rd edition of the Global South Young Diplomats Forum (GSYDF). He stressed India's commitment to articulating, asserting, and amplifying the voice of the Global South on global platforms. In a post on X, Mr Jaishankar said: "Delighted to interact with participants of the 3rd Global South Young Diplomats Forum. Spoke about the sentiment and solidarity driving forward the Global South agenda. And India’s steadfast commitment to articulate, assert and amplify the voice of the Global South." The 3rd edition of the Global South Young Diplomats Forum (GSYDF) was inaugurated by Ambassador Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South) at Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) on Monday. As many as 42 diplomats from 42 countries representing diverse geographies - Asia, Africa, Latin America, Caribbean Islands, Eurasia, Oceania are participating in the programme. According to the institute, in the inaugural session, Ambassador Malhotra spoke about the background and priorities of the GSYDF and outlined the trajectory of its growth and Institution building since its inception. Dean (SSIFS) Ambassador Raj Srivastava elaborated on the guiding principles of the Indian Foreign Policy, touched on the Competency based Training at the institute, discussed the 'Theories of International Relations' and their applicability in understanding Global South. He also explained the overall programme design and wished the participants a fruitful stay in India next two weeks." The 1st Global South Young Diplomats Forum was held at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS), Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, from 20 November to 1 December 2023. The first edition of the forum witnessed the participation of thirty nations such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Maldives, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Oman, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Seychelles, Tanzania, Argentina, etc. The first edition was inaugurated on 20 November 2023, by the former dean of the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, Gaddam Dharmendra.