FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 16 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA LC | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | Paid complicity | Wednesday, 08 July 2026 SPORTS WORLD EDITORIAL SILIGURI Sule denies NDA support talk Messi leads Argentina’s incredible comeback to break past Egypt Page 5 Explosions rock Damascus, wounding 18, as Macron visits Syria Page 16 NATION Page 11 Page 8 CM seeks DGP’s report in 72 hrs PM Modi calls for new ‘Ganga-Mahakam Vision’ on Baruipur rape-murder case STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 16 June P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for a new chapter in India-Indonesia relations based on a “Ganga-Mahakam Vision”, urging the two countries to deepen cooperation across trade, technology, maritime security, connectivity and the voice of the Global South during his historic address to the Parliament of Indonesia. With this, Mr Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Indonesian Parliament. Beginning his address, Mr Modi thanked Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for his presence and Parliament Speaker Puan Maharani for her invitation and contribution to strengthening bilateral ties. He also conveyed greetings on behalf of India's 1.4 billion people to the Indonesian lawmakers. Reflecting on the long history of interactions between the two nations, the Prime Minister said the Indian Ocean had connected India and Indonesia for more than two millennia through the exchange of ideas, commerce, culture and faith. He said the enduring values of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) and Indonesia's national motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) continue to guide the partnership between the two democracies. “Our shared historical trajectories, shared challenges and shared aspirations of our people bring India and Indonesia together as natural and trusted partners,” Mr Modi said. Mr Modi said India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 complemented Indonesia's ambition of Golden Indonesia 2045 (Indonesia Emas 2045), creating significant opportunities for closer collaboration. He called for expanding cooperation in trade and investment, connectivity, food and energy security, digital public infrastructure and emerging technologies, saying these sectors would shape the future of the bilateral partnership. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed India's commitment to working closely with Indonesia to strengthen the voice of the Global South and promote a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. In one of the key proposals of his address, Modi unveiled the concept of a "Ganga-Mahakam Vision" for future India-Indonesia engagement. Drawing inspiration from the Ganga in India and the Mahakam River in Indonesia, he said the new framework should build on the countries' civilisational bonds while expanding cooperation across development, strategic trust, maritime prosperity and multilateral engagement. He said the two countries should deepen their civilisational connect, learn from each other's development journeys, strengthen security and strategic trust, work together for maritime prosperity and jointly amplify the voice of the Global South. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Baruipur, 7 July Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday directed Director General of Police Siddhanath Gupta to submit a detailed report within 72 hours on the investigation into the alleged gang rape and murder of a minor girl in Baruipur, while warning that any negligence on the part of the police would invite strict action. Speaking after a high-level review meeting at the office of the Superintendent of Police, Mr Adhikari said the government would not tolerate any laxity in handling the case. "If there is even one per cent negligence on the part of our personnel during the investigation or in responding to the incident, stringent action will be taken," the Chief Minister said. During his visit, Mr Adhikari met the family members of the victim as well as the relatives of Indranath Tanti, the youth who was lynched by an angry mob after the minor's body was recovered from a nearby pond. The Chief Minister maintained that, based on the information available with the police, the lynched youth was innocent. "I am satisfied after speaking to the family of the young man. According to the police investigation so far, he had no involvement in the crime. Those responsible for killing the innocent youth will not be spared," he said. Mr Adhikari also said the victim's family had expressed confidence in the government's efforts to ensure justice. "The family's faith in me is my biggest achievement. We will do everything necessary to secure justice for them," he added. The Chief Minister said he had remained in constant touch with the victim's family since the day of the incident and had assured them of all possible assistance from the state government. He also said he had spoken to officers of every police station across the state and instructed them to strictly follow the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court while dealing with crimes against women and children. "I have examined every aspect of the case. I have reviewed the missing diary lodged on the previous night and everything that followed. Theft of offerings caught on India, Indonesia sign 14 pacts, announce camera; irregularities occurred 6 major initiatives to expand strategic ties prior to 27 April: SIT report STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 7 July Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Indonesia on Tuesday produced one of the most comprehensive sets of bilateral outcomes in recent years, with India and Indonesia signing 14 agreements and unveiling six major initiatives covering defence, space, healthcare, agriculture, digital technology, disaster management, critical minerals, education, maritime security and cultural cooperation, signalling a significant expansion of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The outcomes were announced following delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta. Among the key agreements was the extension of the Framework Agreement on Cooperation in the Exploration and Uses of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes. The renewed framework is expected to facilitate joint research, technology sharing and capacity-building initiatives. In the healthcare sector, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) of India and Indonesia's National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in medical product regulation. The agreement aims to strengthen regulatory collaboration and improve access to high-quality and affordable medicines in Indonesia, while another implementation agreement on health workforce collaboration seeks to enhance the training and capacity building of Indonesian doctors and Delhi CM: New EV policy will play key role in making capital pollution-free AGRAJ PRATAP SINGH New Delhi, 7 July Days after her government launched a new EV (Electric Vehicle policy, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed confidence that the ambitious move will play a crucial role in contributing towards realising the vision of a clean, healthy and pollution-free National Capital. In an interview with The Statesman, she said the government not only aims to address the city’s air pollution woes but also bring down dependence on fossil fuels. The policy, which came into effect on 1 July, aims to bring around the city’s transport system to release zero emission and contribute to environmental sustainability as it lays down a roadmap for the transition to cleaner mobility with electric vehicles in four years. The move, Ms Gupta said, is a significant step to address air pollution, which hits the people of Delhi hard especially during the winter. “Our vision is simple: every Delhi family should feel that buying an EV is not a difficult but practical decision. We want the transition to be smooth, affordable and convenient so that clean mobility becomes a habit rather than a challenge,” she added. On the concerns and the anxieties that people invariably have when it comes to switching to EV mode, she pointed out that Delhi already has around 9,000 charging points. “Our target is to expand this network to 32,000 charging points during the policy period. With charging becoming accessible across markets, offices, parking areas and residential neighbourhoods a range of anxieties will naturally reduce. Fear disappears when facilities increase and experience grows. We are creating both,” she assured. Asked about the home charging factor, CM Gupta said the government is already working with DISCOMs, RWAs, housing societies, builders and industry stakeholders to find practical solutions that work for Delhi’s residential communities. The policy encourages separate electricity meters for EV charging, making billing transparent and convenient. healthcare professionals. Recognising the growing strategic importance of critical mineral supply chains, both countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in minerals and steel supply chains. The agreement is intended to strengthen industrial resilience and facilitate collaboration in sectors critical to manufacturing, clean energy and advanced technologies. The two governments also concluded an MoU on cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors, paving the way for greater collaboration in sustainable farming, agricultural technologies, crop research and food security. Maritime cooperation received renewed emphasis with the extension of the Memorandum of Understanding and Implementation Agreement on Maritime Safety and Security Cooperation. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Ayodhya, 7 July The preliminary report by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to probe the alleged theft in the offering-counting room of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple has indicated that the incidents of theft and embezzlement occurred during the process of counting the offerings. According to the report, which was made public, said there were indications of such irregularities even before 27 April. However, the actual loss could not be assessed because CCTV footage from that period was unavailable. The SIT expects to submit its final report by 22 July when the next meeting of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will be held. According to the SIT, suspicions have been reinforced by the statements of the accused and the discovery of funds exceeding known sources of income in their bank accounts. The available CCTV footage records instances ~ occurring approximately 70 times ~ where counting staff were seen concealing bundles of currency notes and loose notes. The report also raises serious questions regarding the Trust, the bank, the surveillance system in the counting room, security management, and administrative accountability. However, the investigating team clarified that this is merely a preliminary report and a detailed investigation is currently underway. The report indicates that the failure to effectively implement prescribed security measures created scope for irregularities. Protocols such as searches at entry and exit points, mandatory attire, restrictions on personal belongings, counting by donation box (hundi), denomination-wise documentation, and effective surveillance were not fully enforced in practice. The alleged irregularities persisted despite the presence of representatives from both the Trust and the bank. The government has taken the matter with utmost seriousness," Mr Adhikari said. Announcing that he would visit Baruipur again within a week, the Chief Minister said he would once again meet both families and review the progress of the investigation. Responding to demands from local residents, Mr Adhikari also directed the police administration to immediately establish a police outpost at Suryapur. • Related reports: Page 3 Five dead, many trapped in landslide in Wayanad STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Thiruvananthapuram. 7 July A massive landslide struck near the under-construction Anakkompoyil-Kalladi-Meppa di twin-tunnel road site on Tuesday, turning Wayanad into a disaster zone again. At least five people were killed, several others were injured and seven people are missing. Heavy monsoon rains ~ 265 mm on a single day ~ caused the catastrophic landslide at the entrance of the Anakkampoyil-KalladiMeppadi twin-tunnel project near Meenakshi Bridge in Kalladi. The sudden collapse of the hillside and a retaining wall buried worker quarters and heavy machinery. A house and a church were completely destroyed in the landslide. • Details on Page 6 Government begins formal review of ‘Satluj’ after ZEE5 withdrawal STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 7 July The Centre has initiated a formal review of the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Satluj by referring the film to an Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC), days after it was withdrawn from streaming platform ZEE5 following concerns raised relating to national security. Government sources said the committee, constituted under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, will assess the film's content and recommend an appropriate course of action to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The film became the subject of scrutiny shortly after its digital release on 3 July. ZEE5 removed it from its platform on 5 July. Following the removal of the film, ZEE5 said Satluj would remain unavailable for streaming in India until further notice. The platform expressed support for the film and its creators, adding that it intends to pursue the prescribed legal and regulatory process in an effort to restore the title on its service. Satluj, earlier titled Punjab '95, features Diljit Dosanjh in the role of Punjab human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. Directed by Honey Trehan, the film traces Khalra's efforts to investigate allegations of illegal killings and secret cremations during the insurgency period in Punjab before his disappearance in 1995. Sources said the project had originally been submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2022 for a theatrical release. During the certification process, the Board is understood to have suggested extensive modifications. The theatrical release did not materialise, and the film eventually premiered on an OTT platform under a new title. Officials maintained that while OTT content is not subject to prior CBFC certification, digital streaming services are required to comply with the obligations prescribed under the IT Rules, 2021. The IDC, which examines complaints relating to digital news publishers and OTT platforms, includes representatives from key ministries such as Information and Broadcasting, Home Affairs, Electronics and Information Technology, Defence, External Affairs, Law and Justice, and Women and Child Development, besides experts nominated by the government. After completing its examination, the panel may recommend a range of measures, including advisories, disclaimers, changes to the content, reclassification or, where legally warranted, blocking of the content under provisions of the Information Technology Act.