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 | Thursday, 09 October 2025 SPORTS WORLD Faith and Justice Hamas ties hostage release to full Israeli withdrawal Page 6 Page 9 EDITORIAL PAGE BRIEFLY Cough syrup death toll rises to 20 in MP: New Delhi: The death toll of children from kidney failure due to the now-banned toxic cough syrup 'Coldrif' in Madhya Pradesh has risen to 20. Besides, five children from Chhindwara district of MP are on ventilator support at three different hospitals in nearby Nagpur city of Maharashtra. MP Health Minister Rajendra Shukla said on Wednesday that 20 children have died so far in the state due to kidney infections caused by consuming "contaminated" cough syrup, while five are in critical condition and are undergoing treatment in Nagpur. "A total of 20 innocent children have died in this unfortunate incident, including those from Chhindwara, Betul, and Pandhurna," said Shukla, also the Deputy Chief Minister of MP. CM Vijayan on Sabarimala row: Will not shield guilty ‘Cong failed to hit Pak after HM Amit Shah operating 26/11 due to foreign pressure’ like acting PM: Mamata STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE PM Modi welcomes UK counterpart Starmer on visit to India Mumbai, 8 October P rime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Congress-led UPA government on Wednesday for failing to punish Pakistan after the 26/11 attacks in 2008, due to "foreign pressure". Speaking at the inauguration of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) at Ulwe in Raigad district of Maharashtra, Mr Modi said: “The Congress should tell people why it stopped the army from attacking Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. A senior Congress leader, who was the then Union Home Minister, recently said in an interview that after 26/11, our armed forces were ready to strike, and the country wanted that. If he is to be believed, the attack didn’t happen because of pressure from one country. The Congress government stopped the armed forces from striking Pakistan”. PARWINDER SANDHU Hindon, 8 October STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 8 October PM Modi, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis during the inauguration of Phase 1 of the Navi Mumbai International Airport in Mumbai on Wednesday. AGENCIES "The Congress must explain who succumbed under pressure from a foreign country and played with the nation’s sentiments. Such a failure to act, strengthened terrorism,” Mr Modi said. “Mumbai is not only the economic capital city but also one of the most vibrant cities in India. This is the reason terrorists attacked Mumbai in 2008. But the to the creation of a new state. In 1999, they displayed unmatched courage in Kargil. In 2019, they destroyed terrorist camps in Balakot. And this year, they achieved victory over the enemy in Operation Sindoor in just four days. Our courage has kept the borders safe and shown the enemy their place. Our skill and determination have supported our citizens in every need and strengthened their confidence. We are not only the protectors of the skies, but also the protectors of the nation's dreams," he added. The Air Chief Marshal said that the world today is witnessing a global shift towards the empowerment of air power as the preferred and first instrument of statecraft, extending beyond traditional diplomacy. He added that as India navigates through the turbulent regional and global landscapes, it will increasingly depend on the IAF to provide an effective response to emerging threats. The parade showcased the air might of the IAF, with its fighters lined up as part of the static display. These included the Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, and MiG-29 fighter jets, the Netra AEW&C, the C-17 Globemaster III and C-130J Hercules, the Apache attack helicopter fitted with Longbow radar, the Advanced Light Helicopter, the Akash Surface-to-Air Missile System, and the S-band Rohini radar. The recently decommissioned MiG-21 Bison was also a part of the display. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh reviewed the parade and received the ceremonial salute. then Congress government gave a message of weakness." PM Modi's statement came a few days after then Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, speaking about the 26/11 attack in a recent podcast, said: "The whole world descended on Delhi to tell us, ‘Don’t start a war (against Pakistan).’ • More reports: Page 5 3 scientists win Chemistry Nobel for developing metal-organic frameworks AGENCIES Stockholm, 8 October The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M Yaghi for their pioneering work in the development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The three scientists represent Kyoto University in Japan, the University of Melbourne in Australia, and the University of California, Berkeley, in the United States, respectively. The Committee said the trio created "molecular constructions with large spaces through which gases and other chemicals can flow." These structures have wide-ranging applications, including harvesting water from desert air. • Full report: Page 9 Assam DSP arrested in connection with singer Zubeen’s death; wife urges dignified probe STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Guwahati, 8 October Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sandipan Garg (photo), who is also the cousin of late singer Zubeen Garg, was arrested on Wednesday following questioning by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the mysterious death of the celebrated Assamese musician. The arrest came shortly after Sandipan appeared before the CID office in Guwahati for questioning. He was expected to be produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court later in the day. Sandipan Garg was among those present on the yacht in Singapore where Zubeen Garg lost his life under circumstances that have since sparked Page 12 Page 4 IAF showed the enemy its place during Op Sindoor: Air Chief Marshal AP Singh Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Wednesday said that the Indian Air Force (IAF) showed the enemy its place during Operation Sindoor by firmly demonstrating its strength and resolve. He asserted that the IAF stands not only as the guardian of the nation’s skies, but also as the protector of its dreams. Addressing a gathering on the occasion of the 93rd Air Force Day at Air Force Station Hindon near here, the Chief of Air Staff said that the IAF is one of the finest Air Forces in the world in terms of technology and capability. He added that the IAF has risen to every challenge and stood firm in every crisis the nation has faced. “Our Air Warriors have written history in every era. In 1947, they protected Kashmir. In 1965, they struck from the skies. In 1971, they contributed NATION CWC 2025: India’s shaky top order faces South Africa test widespread speculation and public outrage. Earlier this week, he had written on his official Facebook page that he had “fully cooperated with the SIT” after a marathon interrogation session. However, officials said inconsistencies in his statements and new leads emerging from digital and financial trails prompted his arrest. The case has taken a dramatic turn over the past week with multiple arrests linked to the incident. On 1 October, the SIT took into custody Zubeen’s long-time manager Siddharth Sharma and festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, who had organised the Singapore event that the singer attended. Investigators are now examining possible foul play and have widened their inquiry to include financial irregularities and communication records of all those aboard the yacht. Meanwhile, Zubeen’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, has emerged as a steady yet emotional voice throughout the unfolding investigation. Garima has said she has full faith in the ongoing investigation and hopes that a “watertight probe” will bring out the truth. In recent statements, she expressed doubts over the chain of events leading to Zubeen’s death, revealing that the singer was on medication and suggesting that he might have been taken on the yacht trip against his will. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended a warm welcome to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on his historic first visit to India. In a post on X, PM Modi said: “Welcome, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, on your historic first visit to India with the largest ever trade delegation from the UK. Looking forward to our meeting tomorrow for advancing our shared vision of a stronger, mutually prosperous future.” Mr Starmer landed in Mumbai today for a two-day visit to India, accompanied by a 125-member delegation of CEOs, academics, and industry representatives. AGENCIES Kolkata, 8 October Amid indications that the special intensive revision (SIR) exercise of electoral rolls could start in Bengal after 15 October, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday questioned the practicality of the plan, considering that October is the festival month for the state. “Is it possible to begin the SIR within this month amid the festival days? Will the Election Commission of India (ECI) operate at the behest of the BJP? Or will the commission ensure the democratic rights of the people?” the Chief Minister asked while speaking to reporters at Kolkata airport on her return to the state capital after a three-day tour of flood-hit north Bengal. On this issue, she also launched a scathing attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, claiming that everything that were happening about the SIR were happening according to his instructions. “This is his game. He is operating like an acting Prime Minister. I would request the Prime Minister not to believe him. Don’t trust Amit Shah so much. Ek din wo aap ka Mir Jafar ban jaayega (One day he will be your Mir Jafar),” Miss Banerjee said. The Chief Minister also claimed that the current Central government was the most autocratic government that Indians have ever witnessed. “I have experience with several Union government regimes before. But have never come across such arrogance and such an autocratic nature of any government. Their leader comes here and says we will exclude so many lakh voters from Bengal,” she said. “They are in power today. Tomorrow, they might not be in power. Nothing is permanent,” the Chief Minister said. Miss Banerjee also came down heavily on the Tripura administration for obstructing her party leaders from visiting a Trinamul Congress party office that was vandalised on Tuesday night. She said she had thought of going to Tripura if her party leaders were not allowed to visit the spot.