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 | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | Monday, 10 August 2026 SPORTS PERSPECTIVE Pollution control must embrace new paradigm Netanyahu rejects Trump’s Gaza plan Page 9 Beyond forecasts WORLD Page 7 EDITORIAL Jaiswal hits 61, Siraj slams hat-trick of sixes as India seal six-wicket win in warm-up game Page 12 Page 6 CM Adhikari orders fresh probe into RG Kar case on 2nd death anniversary STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 9 August C hief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday ordered a fresh investigation into the RG Kar case following a request from Ratna Debnath, the mother of the young doctor whose death at the state-run hospital in August 2024 triggered widespread protests across the country. Mr Adhikari, speaking at a programme in Panihati to mark the second anniversary of the incident, said he had accepted Ms Debnath’s plea for a reinvestigation. He also directed the Barrackpore Commissioner of Police to examine what had happened at the crematorium when the doctor’s body was taken there for the last rites. Ms Debnath had alleged that Nirmal Ghosh, Sandip Ghosh and Sanjay Mukherjee were involved in hastily arranging the cremation and demanded that the circumstances surrounding the disposal of A member of the West Bengal Junior Doctors Front takes part in a protest rally demanding justice for the victim of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape and murder case, known as ‘Abhaya’, in Kolkata, on Sunday. BISWAJIT GHOSHAL the body be examined afresh. “Two years ago, on this day, when we remember what happened, we become disturbed and our hearts ache. Tears come to our eyes. No one could have imagined that such a barbaric incident could take place in a civilised society and in a supposedly secure place in India,” Mr Adhikari said. He also recalled the protests that followed the death and alleged police excesses against those who had participated in demonstrations demanding justice. Referring to the protest march towards Nabanna in 2025, Mr Adhikari said the mother of the deceased doctor had been subjected to police action. He alleged that she was not allowed to be admitted to hospital and was left in an emergency department. “I do not forget. I am doing whatever needs to be done and will continue to do so. I must see this through to its end,” he said. The Chief Minister also referred to the two-minute silence observed at government healthcare institutions across the state on Sunday morning to mark the second anniversary of the doctor’s death. The silence was observed from 11 a.m. to 11.02 a.m, following instructions from the state health department. Doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers, besides private hospitals, medical centres and medical colleges, observed silence and bowed their heads in remembrance of the deceased doctor. The Chief Minister also asserted that there would be no political, religious or communal considerations while dealing with crimes of such gravity. “In such cases, we will not think about politics, religion or community. There will be no nepotism, no weakness and no consideration of personal relationships. Whatever strict punishment can be given, it will be given,” he said. Mr Adhikari also referred to the recent encounter in Baruipur while stressing his government's approach towards criminal cases. The young doctor’s body was recovered from a seminar hall at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on 9 August 2024. Police subsequently arrested civic volunteer Sanjay Roy in connection with the case. Following an order of the Calcutta High Court, the Central Bureau of Investigation took over the probe. A court later sentenced Roy to life imprisonment. However, the CBI has not arrested any other accused in connection with the alleged wider conspiracy. The victim’s parents have maintained that several others were involved and have repeatedly questioned the investigation. The role of the investigating agency has also come under scrutiny during proceedings before the Calcutta High Court. Mamata faces protest during visit to kin of custodial death victim STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 9 August Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee faced angry protests and an alleged attack on her convoy during her visit to Halishahar on Sunday to meet the family of Birju Kumar Keot, a Trinamul Congress worker who died in police custody. The incident took place as Miss Banerjee was travelling to the residence of Keot’s family in Kanchrapara. Protesters allegedly threw water, mud and shoes at her vehicle and raised slogans accusing her of being a “thief” and “robber queen”. Police had to surround the former chief minister’s vehicle as it passed through the Bijpur area. Despite the protests, Miss Banerjee met Keot’s wife and other family members. She strongly condemned the incident and alleged that BJP supporters were behind the attack. “We strongly condemn this. BJP supporters have thrown bricks and damaged the vehicle. Bengal has gone into the hands of goons,” Miss Banerjee said. She alleged that large bricks had been thrown at her vehicle and claimed that she could have suffered serious injuries. “I could have suffered a head injury. I could have died here,” she said, while accusing the police of protecting what she described as “lumpen elements”. Miss Banerjee also criticised the state government and targeted chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, who also holds the police portfolio, over the custodial death. She demanded the resignation of the Director General of Police and the Commissioner of Police over the incident. Trinamul Congress leader Kalyan Banerjee, who accompanied her, also condemned the protest. He alleged that there was a “planned conspiracy” to attack Miss Banerjee and said those responsible would face legal action. The BJP, however, rejected the allegations and claimed that Miss Banerjee had gone to Kanchrapara to provoke people. BJP leaders said the protest reflected local anger. The visit came a day after Keot’s death in police custody triggered allegations of custodial assault. Keot, the husband of former Trinamul councillor of Kanchrapara Municipality Jeni Sharma Keot, was arrested by Halishahar police on Friday night on allegations including extortion and involvement in clashes in the area. He was produced before a court on Friday, which remanded him in police custody for five days. According to police, Keot was found lying unwell inside the lock-up in the early hours of Saturday. He was taken to a hospital in Kalyani, where doctors declared him dead. His family, however, alleged that he had been assaulted inside the lock-up. JPSC talks continue, govt offers three exam cancellations, students stand ground SHASHI SINGH Ranchi, 9 August National Pride WDC cadets with flags in their hands participate in the “Tiranga Yatra” led by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath under the “Har Ghar Tiranga campaign” ahead of the 80th Independence Day celebrations outside the UP Legislative Assembly, in Lucknow on Sunday. IANS The second round of talks between the Jharkhand government and the JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch ended without a settlement on Sunday, with the government offering the cancellation of three examinations, an investigation into alleged financial transactions by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and a probe into all examinations conducted by the TDPL agency. Separately, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, speaking at a tribal festival at Morahabadi, also assured the students protesting over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations that they would get justice and that those found responsible for the irregularities would face stringent punishment. During the talks with the protesting students, the government proposed cancellation of the JPSC Backlog 2023, JPSC Backlog 2025 and the 14th JPSC Preliminary Examination, according to the Reform Manch’s account of the government’s position after the meeting. The government also offered to have alleged financial transactions linked to the examination irregularities investigated by the ED and proposed an inquiry into all examinations conducted by TDPL. As part of its proposed longer-term reforms, the government said it would seek the assistance of institutions including IIM and XISS to reform the functioning and examination systems of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission. However, the JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch did not accept the proposals, maintaining that the government’s offer did not constitute a resolution of all its demands. Meanwhile, addressing the inaugural ceremony of the two-day Jharkhand Tribal Festival at Morahabadi, Mr Soren said the government was listening to the concerns of the students protesting for their rights. “An irregularity has come to my notice. It will be investigated, the youth will get justice and those who committed the irregularities will face the strictest punishment,” he said, while urging the protesting youth not to be misled or come under the political patronage of any party. He alleged that political parties across the country were attempting to influence and mislead the younger generation for political gains. The second round of talks followed the first formal dialogue between the government and the student representatives on 7 August. ‘Keep inspiring the nation’: PM Modi meets Phuket-Delhi flight incident: Air India pilot’s screening test requires confirmatory analysis India’s Commonwealth Game medallists STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 9 August Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated India’s Commonwealth Games 2026 medallists for their historic performances in Glasgow and urged the country’s athletes to continue inspiring the nation. PM Modi on Sunday met with the Commonwealth Games 2026 medallists and congratulated the athletes for delivering historic performances in boxing, judo, athletics and para-athletics. “Those who play, will flourish. Always cheer for Bharat. Bharat Mata Ki Jai!,” PM Narendra Modi posted on Instagram. India finished fourth in medal standings with 39 medals (13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze) despite competing in a significantly reduced programme that excluded medal-rich sports such as wrestling, badminton, table tennis, hockey and shooting. India’s boxing contingent returned from Glasgow with seven gold and three silver medals, with the seven gold medals coming from Preeti Pawar (54 kg), Jaismine Lamboria (57 kg), Sakshi Chaudhary (51kg), Priya Ghanghas (60 kg), Arundhati Choudhary (70 kg), Sachin Siwach (60 kg) and Ankush Panghal (80 kg). The three silver medallists were Jadumani Singh (55 kg), Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain (75 kg) and Narender Berwal (90+ kg). Sakshi Choudhary, one of India's boxing gold medallists, spoke about the significance of meeting the Prime Minister and said the interaction left the athletes proud and delighted. “We, all the Commonwealth Games medallists, were invited by our honourable Prime Minister. We feel extremely proud, and it was a wonderful experience meeting him. He is very humble, and we were very happy to meet him.” The seven gold medals also marked the best-ever performance by Indian women boxers at the Commonwealth Games. The Indian judo contingent also produced its best-ever Commonwealth Games performance. India participated in 12 judo events in Glasgow and won four medals ~ two gold, one silver and one bronze, compared to three medals, with no gold, in 2022. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 9 August The screening test of the pilot-in-command (PIC) of an Air India A320 that suffered a sudden loss of altitude during a Phuket-Delhi flight on 4 August has indicated a result requiring confirmatory testing, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said on Sunday. Samples have been sent to a designated laboratory and the final report is awaited. The ministry said both flight crew members underwent the prescribed psychoactive substance screening test as part of standard operating procedures following the incident. Pending the investigation and completion of the testing process, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken both pilots off the roster. The Ministry of Civil Aviation said in a statement: “On 04.08.2026, M/s Air India A320 aircraft VT-EXO, operating flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi, experienced a sudden loss of altitude of approximately 300 feet during cruise, following which the aircraft stabilised and subsequently landed safely at Delhi.” It added: “During the occurrence, injuries were reported to a few passengers and cabin crew members on board. The aircraft was carrying 137 passengers, including 03 infants, and 08 crew members comprising two pilots and six cabin crew.” On the pilot testing, the ministry said: “As part of the Standard Operating Procedures following such an occurrence, both flight crew members underwent the prescribed psychoactive substance screening test. The screening test in respect of the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) indicated a result requiring confirmatory testing.” “Samples have accordingly been sent to the designated laboratory for confirmatory analysis, and the final report is awaited,” it said. The ministry said the occurrence had been classified as a Serious Incident and was being investigated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). It further stated: “Pending investigation and completion of the prescribed process, both flight crew members have been taken off roster by the DGCA. Further action, as appropriate, will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation and confirmatory test results.” The ministry also stressed that the screening result requiring confirmation should not be treated as a final finding, with the designated laboratory’s analysis and the AAIB investigation still pending. The ministry said: “The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the DGCA remains firmly committed to maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety and ensuring that all such occurrences are thoroughly investigated and appropriate action is taken in accordance with the prescribed regulations and procedures.”