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 | Friday, 26 September 2025 WORLD ‘World in most destructive arms race’ NATION NATION Cong asserts leadership role in INDIA bloc Kaleshwaram case: IAS officer gets temporary relief Page 8 Page 5 Page 9 Centre cancels FCRA PM champions self-reliance, inclusive growth licence of Sonam Wangchuk’s NGO STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 25 September Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday emphasised the importance of self-reliance and inclusive growth, as he inaugurated the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show 2025 in Greater Noida. “India must become Security personnel patrol in Leh on Thursday amid curfew imposed after protests over the statehood demand and inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule. ANI STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 25 September A day after his Ladakh statehood agitation turned violent, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday cracked down on climate activist Sonam Wangchuk (photo), cancelling the FCRA licence of his non-profit NGO ~ Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh. In its order, the government cited 'repeated' violations of the law-governing foreign funding for such non- profit organisations. The MHA order stated that Wangchuk's NGO was found to be in violation of provisions under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. It further noted that the NGO was served a show-cause notice on August 20, 2025, but the response submitted by the organisation on September 19, 2025 failed to satisfactorily explain the irregularities. Citing one particular instance, the MHA said that Mr Wangchuk had submitted an amount of Rs 3.5 lakh into the FCRA account of the NGO during FY 2021-22. In response, Mr Wangchuk had mentioned that the amount was sale proceeds of an old bus procured in 2015 out of the FCRA's fund. However, the ministry said that it found in its investigation that the sum was received as a foreign donation. Curfew in Leh, shutdown in Kargil day after deadly clashes: While the situation remained tense across the Union Territory of Ladakh, the administration on Thursday imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS also in Kargil district where a complete shutdown was observed to protest against the killing of four youth in yesterday’s police firing and injury to more than 70 people in Leh. Curfew continues to be clamped in Leh after the unprecedented clashes. The call for a shutdown in Kargil was given by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) in solidarity with the people of Leh. All commercial establishments remained shut and there was no movement of people on the streets. More than 50 people, including a Congress councillor, have been taken into custody by the police in connection with the violent incidents, reports said. Ladakh Police, ITBP and CRPF were deployed in strength across Ladakh to maintain peace. Lt. Governor Kavinder Gupta held a high-level security review meeting to assess the emerging situation across Ladakh. He emphasised the need for heightened vigilance, seamless inter-agency coordination and proactive measures to safeguard peace, security and public order across the UT. National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah also criticised the BJP for pointing fingers at the Congress and urged it to take responsibility for what happened in Leh. He said that people of Ladakh had initially followed Gandhian methods of non-violent agitation. (Page 3) MoD seals `62,370 cr deal with HAL for 97 LCA Mk1A jets STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 25 September A day before the iconic MiG-21 is slated to retire from service in the Indian Air Force, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Thursday signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, including 68 fighters and 29 twin-seaters. Apart from the fighter jets, the contract includes the procurement of associated equipment for the Indian Air Force at a cost of over Rs 62,370 crore (excluding taxes). The delivery of these aircraft will commence in 2027-28 and be completed over a period of six years. The MiG-21 jets will be replaced by the indigenously developed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 1A (Mk1A). In a statement issued here, the MoD said that the aircraft will have an indigenous content of over 64 per cent with 67 additional items incorporated over and above the previous LCA Mk1A contract signed in January 2021. The integration of advanced indigenously developed systems, such as the UTTAM Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach, and control surface actuators, will enhance the aircraft's capabilities. self-reliant. Every product that can be made in India should be made in India,” the PM said. Highlighting the government's push towards 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', the Prime Minister cited India's progress in various sectors, including defence, where the government is promoting indigenous manufacturing. "In India, we are developing a vibrant defence sector, creating an ecosystem where every component bears the mark of 'Made in India'," he said. Mr Modi also mentioned the upcoming production of AK-203 rifles in collaboration with Russia and the establishment of a defence corridor in Uttar Pradesh. SIT arrests Zubeen Garg’s associate: Guwahati: The probe into the untimely death of Assam’s cultural icon Zubeen Garg in Singapore took a dramatic turn on Thursday, with the SIT arresting musician Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, a long-time associate of the late singer. Mr Goswami, who had accompanied Garg on the Singapore trip and was present during the controversial yacht outing linked to the tragedy, has been taken into custody for questioning.