FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 BRIEFLY | Pages 16 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA LC | NEW DELHI Varanasi, 11 September Orem: Charlie Kirk (photo), a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump who played an influential role in rallying young Republican voters, was shot and killed at a Utah college event in what the governor called a political assassination. Authorities say Kirk was killed with a single shot from a rooftop on Wednesday. Whoever fired the gun then slipped away amid the chaos of screams and students fleeing the Utah Valley University campus. Authorities were still searching for an unidentified shooter early Thursday and working what they called “multiple active crime scenes.” Page 11 ECI rejects inclusion of Swasthya Sathi cards for SIR exercise Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday rejected the plea from the West Bengal government for inclusion of Swasthya Sathi and ration or PDS cards in the list of the documents allowed as identity proof in case of the commission-proposed special intensive revision for West Bengal. Swasthya Sathi cards are related to the Bengal government’s health insurance scheme for citizens. Both Swasthya Sathi and ration (PDS) cards are identity documents that are provided by the state government. West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, earlier this month, had written to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, making the request. Page 4 SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR Govt announces economic package for Mauritius NIKHIL VYAS Trump ally Charlie Kirk assassinated: | P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India remains fully committed to strengthening the security of Mauritius’s Exclusive Economic Zone as India announced a Special Economic Package for Mauritius worth nearly USD 680 million (MUR 30 billion) across health, infrastructure, and maritime security sectors. "Today, we have announced a Special Economic Package designed to support Mauritius’ needs and priorities. This will strengthen infrastructure, create new employment opportunities, and further enhance healthcare facilities," PM Modi said while making a joint press statement after his delegation-level talks with visiting Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam in Varanasi. “This package is not an assistance. It is an investment in our shared future,” PM Modi asserted. Calling Mauritius as a key part of India's Neighbourhood First policy, PM Modi said a Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a bilateral meeting with the Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, in Varanasi on Thursday. ANI free, open, secure, stable, and prosperous Indian Ocean is a shared priority of both the nations. “In this context, India remains fully committed to strengthening the security of Mauritius’s Exclusive Economic Zone, and enhancing its maritime capacity,” PM Modi said. India has always stood as the first responder and a net security provider in the Indian Ocean region, PM Modi said. “India and Mauritius are two nations, but our dreams and Pak-linked terrorist module smashed DEEPSHIKHA VERMA New Delhi, 11 September A terror module, ‘Khilafat’, linked to Pakistan, was dismantled by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police and Central agencies with the arrest of five suspected operatives in coordinated raids across multiple states, officials said on Thursday. The suspects, said to have been radicalised online by a Pakistan-based handler, allegedly intended to acquire land, designate it as a ‘Khilafat zone’, and initiate 'Jihad' in India. The arrested men were identified as Ashar Danish, alias Ashrar Qureshi (23), an English honours graduate from Ranchi; Aftab Qureshi and Sufiyan Abubakar, both from Mumbai; Mohammad Huzaifa from Telangana; and Kamran Qureshi from Madhya Pradesh. “Danish, the mastermind of the plot, who coordinated with other members and executed tasks on behalf of the handler, who was referred to as the ‘CEO’, also went by the names ‘Professor’ and ‘Gazba’, was arrested in Jharkhand,” Pramod Kushwah, Additional Commissioner of Police (Special Cell), said while addressing a press conference. “They were guided to promote the idea of ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’ and initiate violent activities,” Mr Kushwah said. He further said that the Pakistan-based handler shared weapon blueprints, ideological material, and directions for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) via encrypted social media chats. destiny are one,” he said. “Mauritius is a key part of India’s Neighbourhood First policy and our Vision ‘MAHASAGAR’. In March, I had the honour of attending Mauritius’ National Day celebrations, where we elevated our ties to an ‘Enhanced Strategic Partnership’. Today, we reviewed all areas of our cooperation in detail, and also exchanged views on regional and global matters,” PM Modi said. Reaffirming their shared vision for peace and prosperity India schools Switzerland over minority remark STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 11 September New Delhi has condemned Switzerland’s comments on India’s treatment of minorities, calling them “surprising, shallow, and ill-informed.” India strongly rebutted Switzerland's remarks at the 60th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) held in Geneva, where Bern has urged New Delhi to "protect minorities and uphold the rights to freedom of expression and the media." Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi firmly rejected Switzerland’s claim and suggested that Bern focus on its own domestic challenges, including racism, systemic discrimination, & xenophobia. in the Indian Ocean Region and for the Global South, the two leaders, ahead of their joint press briefing, held delegation-level talks in Varanasi. Both the nations comprehensively reviewed the Enhanced Strategic Partnership between India and Mauritius and identified new opportunities to deepen collaboration across sectors of mutual interest that will drive shared prosperity for both countries, their peoples, and the region. While addressing the joint press briefing, Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam lauded India's continuous assistance over the years, highlighting that the country has benefited from India's expertise in key sectors of national development, including health, education and capacity-building. Mr Ramgoolam thanked India for announcing a special economic package for Mauritius and recalled PM Modi's visit to Mauritius earlier this year when the two nations elevated bilateral ties to higher level with the joint document on enhanced strategic partnership. | Friday, 12 September 2025 First tranche of India-US trade agreement to be finalised by November, says Piyush Goyal STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 11 September The first tranche of the India–US trade agreement is expected to be finalised by November 2025, marking a significant step in easing tensions between the two countries over tariffs and trade barriers, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday. “In February 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump instructed that ministers of both sides should make a good agreement by November 2025. The first part of that agreement, the first tranche, should be finalised by November 2025. Since March, discussions have been going on in a very good environment, and both sides are satisfied with the progress,” the minister said. The remarks come amid renewed optimism following US President Donald Trump’s recent statement on Truth Social, where he said negotiations to address trade barriers were moving forward. “I am pleased to announce that India and the United States of America are continuing negotiations to address the trade barriers between our two nations… I feel certain there will be no difficulty in coming to a successful conclusion for both of our Great Countries ! ” Mr Trump had posted. Days earlier, Mr Trump had described India–US ties as a “very special relationship” and reassured that he and Prime Minister Modi “would always be friends,” saying there was “nothing to worry about.” Prime Minister Modi endorsed Me Trump’s comments on X, expressing confidence that the ongoing talks would “unlock the limitless potential” of the partnership. “Our teams are working to conclude these discussions at the earliest,” PM Modi said, adding that he looks forward to speaking with Trump to secure a “brighter, more prosperous future” for both nations. The trade negotiations are unfolding against a backdrop of heightened global economic tensions, following the US decision to impose a 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports, including an additional 25 per cent penalty over India’s purchase of Russian crude oil, which Washington argues supports Moscow’s conflict in Ukraine. Nepal: Troops patrol streets, GenZ protest leaders endorse Sushila Karki’s name for interim PM AGENCIES Kathmandu, 11 September Armed soldiers of the Nepal Army were patrolling the streets of Kathmandu, instructing residents to stay indoors, following a wave of deadly protests in the capital on Thursday. Armytroopsconductedchecks on vehicles and pedestrians amid an indefinite curfew, imposed to "normalise" the city after the chaotic mass unrest that toppled the government of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel on Thursday appealed to maintain peace, asserting that he is making "every effort" to find a way out of the current situation. Youth leaders at the forefront of the demonstrations have stated that widespread corruption and political stagnation are the core reasons behind their mass mobilisation against the government. The protest leaders in a press conference on Thursday have also collectively endorsed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as their nominee for interim Prime Minister, citing her integrity and independence, following the resignation of Mr Oli after widespread protests across the nation. "We are staging this movement against corruption, as it is rampant," said Gen Z leader Diwakar Dangal, echoing the frustrations of thousands of young Nepalese who have taken to the streets in Kathmandu and other major cities since 8 September. Another Gen Z leader, Junal Gadal, emphasised the choice of leadership for the transition phase, stating, "We should choose Sushila Karki as the best option as the guardian of the country." Ms Karki, Nepal's first female Chief Justice, is widely regarded for her stance against judicial and political corruption. The Gen Z-led movement, which initially began as a peaceful protest, has seen moments of violence and chaos, which the leaders blame on political infiltrators. "We had called for a peaceful protest, but the political cadres caused the arson and then vandalised the infrastructure. We are not trying to change the Constitution, but to make necessary amendments to it. Through online surveys, the Gen Z leaders voted for Sushila Karki. Within six months, we will head to elections," said Gen Z leader Anil Baniya. Ojashwi Raj Thapa, another face of the youth uprising, addressed the challenges within the movement, warning against attempts by political actors to create division. "We are not capable of taking full leadership yet, and it will take us time to mature into that role," Thapa said, adding, "Some party members think they can infiltrate and divide us. This bloodshed is your doing, the doing of old leaders. We don't want violence. We want the parliament dissolved, not the constitution scrapped." Rahul Gandhi violating security protocols: CRPF High drama in Srinagar: AAP’s Sanjay Singh under ‘house arrest’, Farooq stopped from meeting him STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Jammu, 11 September New Delhi, 11 September The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Thursday raised the issue of ‘security breaches’ by the Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, accusing Mr Gandhi of not following security protocols. CRPF VVIP Security chief Sunil June, in a letter to the Congress chief, said Mr Gandhi was not following security protocols and often violated them. He said that the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, despite being a political figure with a VVIP profile, was not taking his security seriously. The CRPF officer also raised concerns over Mr Gandhi’s frequent foreign tours, which were not informed and reported to his security team in advance. “In the past 9 months, Rahul violated security protocol during 6 foreign tours. All these 6 foreign tours were made without informing the security agency, causing significant problems for the agency,” the letter reportedly said. The development comes on the heels of a security breach during Mr Gandhi’s visit to Rae Bareli, the Lok Sabha constituency he represents. The Congress party, meanwhile, questioned the timing of the CRPF's letter, suggesting it might be an attempt to intimidate Rahul Gandhi. “The timing of the CRPF's letter and its instant public release raise disturbing questions. Is this a veiled attempt to intimidate the Leader of Opposition, who has already announced another imminent disclosure? Is the government rattled by the truth he is about to reveal?” Congress leader Pawan Khera said in a post on social media platform X. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE High drama unfolded in Srinagar on Thursday when police locked the gates of the government guest house and prevented former chief minister and president of the ruling National Conference (NC) Dr. Farooq Abdullah from meeting the AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh who was staying there. Former Delhi minister and MLA, Imran Hussain, was also with Singh. The police did not allow Dr Abdullah, a three-time chief minister of J&K and several times MP, from entering the premises after which Mr Singh climbed the AAP MP Sanjay Singh scales the gate of a government guesthouse to speak with National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah. AGENCIES gate and talked to Dr Abdullah who was standing on the other side. Videos posted by Mr Singh and NC show that the police had chained the gate of the guest house. The AAP MP was neither allowed to protest against the arrest and slapping of PSA on Mehraj Malik, AAP MLA from Doda, and also address a press conference. Mr Singh said he has been put under “house arrest” inside the guest house. He is seen in the video pleading with the policemen to let him meet Dr Abdullah and also address a press conference. An annoyed Farooq Abdullah said: “This is absolutely wrong. In a democracy, protest is the right given by the Constitution of India. The sad part is that J&K is a UT, and the LG has all the powers. He is using it for the wrong purposes. Was it important to prevent Sanjay Singh from speaking? This is not an autocratic rule. There is a constitution here. The LG also has to protect the constitution, and if he does not protect it, then I regret to say this, he should be afraid of what is happening in Nepal. How did the situation in Nepal deteriorate? Today, the situation is such that their constitution has ended, and there is no government there. Look at the condition of Bangladesh. That is why I request you, before such a fire breaks out in our country, take care of the constitution and do not go beyond its limits”. Sanjay Singh wrote on X, “It is very unfortunate that Dr Farooq Abdullah, who has been Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir multiple times, came to meet me after hearing about my house arrest. But the police did not allow him to enter. If this is not dictatorship, what is?”