vijayawada l monday l february 10, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late city EDITION Trump says he spoke with Putin about ending war in Ukraine US President Donald Trump said he spoke to his Russian counterpart to try to negotiate an end to the war ahead of its third anniversary Donald Trump Vladimir Putin Putin wants to end conflict, says Don Trump told the New York Post he believes Vladimir Putin “does care” about battlefield deaths. “All those dead people. They’re like your kids, two million of them – and for no reason,” Trump said, adding Putin too wants to “see people stop dying”. Asked how many times he has spoken to Putin after taking office on January 20, Trump said he better not say Feb 24 Kremlin refuses to confirm or deny talks ■ ■ It is not clear when the two leaders spoke. The Kremlin has neither confirmed nor denied the talks were held. Last week, Russia said contacts with the US have “intensified” since Trump took office Trump campaigned on a promise to end the war. He said he has a concrete plan on how to do it. But it’s not clear if Russia is on board marks three years since Russian forces invaded ukraine in 2022 CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh 31 Maoists, 2 cops Four arrested in Tirumala resigns hours after meeting Shah killed in gunbattle cbi probe Laddu row S V i s w a n at h @ Vijayawada In a significant development related to the alleged adulteration of the Tirumala Srivari Laddu prasadam, officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested four individuals and produced them before a court in Tirupati. According to reliable sources, the arrested individuals include the former directors of Bhole Baba Dairy (Roorkee, Uttarakhand), Vipin Jain and Pomil Jain, the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Vaishnavi Dairy (Poonambaka) Apoorva Vinay Kanth Chawda, and the Managing Director of AR D a i r y (Dindigul) Raju Rajashekaran. The investigation revealed several violations in the supply of ghee. It was discovered that representatives of Vaishnavi Dairy had won the tenders to supply ghee under the name of AR Dairy using fraudulent doc, uments and seals. Vaishnavi Dairy was also found to have created false records regarding the procurement of ghee from Bhole Baba Dairy . Investigators concluded that Bhole Baba Dairy lacked the capacity to supply ghee in large P4 quantities.  Speaker Satyabrata Singh, minister Y Khemchand among front-runners to be the next CM P r a s a n ta M a z u m d a r & R a jes h K u m a r T h a ku r @ Guwahati / New Delhi MANIPUR Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh resigned on Sunday a day before , the start of the crucial Assembly session in which he was to face a no-confidence motion. Singh submitted his resignation to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla in Imphal on Sunday evening, shortly after returning from Delhi where he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The governor asked him to continue in office till alternative arrangements are made, the Raj Bhavan said. The names of Assembly speaker T Satyabrata Singh and senior minister Y Khemchand are doing the rounds as Singh’s possible successor. According to sources, it is BJP’s internal politics that forced Biren Singh to resign nearly two years after the state Biren Singh hands over his resignation to Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, in the presence of BJP’s Northeast in-charge Sambit Patra and other leaders | ANI was torn by an ethnic conflict between Meiteis and Kukis that left over 250 people dead and 60,000 others displaced. Before his Delhi trip on Saturday evening, Singh had called a meeting with NDA MLAs. Only 20 of the 46 MLAs turned up. The 60-member House now has an effective strength of 59. Singh wanted to see how many MLAs were with him given that many of the BJP’s 37 legislators, including five who defected from JD(U), were demanding a leadership change. Two days ago, the Congress announced its plan to move a no-confidence motion against the government. The Congress, which has five MLAs, was hoping to get the support of the BJP rebels to take the number beyond 10 as required for the no-trust motion to stand. Sources said the BJP’s central leadership did not want to risk an embarrassing situation where the disgruntled MLAs might side with the Congress, and so it asked Singh to quit. The ‘leaked audio tapes’, in which a person taking credit for the ethnic violence, may also have worked against Singh as a forensic analysis showed a 93% probability that the voice samples were Singh’s. The matter is in the Supreme Court. The BJP was under tremendous pressure from the party’s Manipur MLAs to remove Singh. His resignation appears to be a calculated decision to avert further instability . Sources said the leadership was growing impatient with Singh as the ethnic violence had begun to tarnish Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reputation for good governance. express read State govt launches Land Regularization Scheme Man kills industrialist granddad, stabs him over 70 times Aero India 2025, Asia’s largest defence exhibition, starts today Vijayawada: The State government has launched the Land Regularization Scheme to eliminate the need for multiple visits to government offices and ensure a faster and more transparent process, said Special Chief Secretary (Revenue) G Jayalakshmi | P4 Hyderabad: Former CMD of Veljan Hydrair Limited Velamati Chandrasekhara Janardhan Rao (86) was allegedly stabbed to death by his grandson Killaru Kirti Teja on Thursday over distribution of property. The industrialist was allegedly stabbed over 70 times | P5 Bengaluru: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday termed Aero India a key platform to showcase India’s vision of becoming a self-reliant nation. The event will be held from February 10 to 14, and will showcase India’s latest aerospace advancements | P7 in Chhattisgarh E J AZ k a i se r @ Raipur AT least 31 Maoists, including 11 women, were killed in a fierce gun battle with security forces in the Indravati National Park region of Bijapur in Chhattisgarh on Sunday. The encounter, which took place 450 km south of Raipur, resulted in the deaths of two security personnel and injured two others. Bastar range IG Sunderraj P said troops recovered 31 bodies, which are yet to identified. The injured personnel were airlifted to Raipur, where doctors reported signs of bullet injuries and fractures. Doctors said they’ll have to wait for 24 hours for further updates. The operation was launched based on specific intelligence inputs, with a joint team of security forces comprising the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF) and Bastar Fighters, all units of the state police, tracking real-time locations of the Maoists for more than five days. Security forces crossed hilly terrain before launching a massive offensive from different directions, surrounding the Maoists in the Annapur forest in the core national park, some 90 km away from the Bijapur district headquarters, on Sunday . The forces recovered AK-47 rifles, self-loading rifles, INSAS reds neutralised this year in hotbed Date Jan 3 Jan 5 Jan 9 Jan 12 Place Casualties Gariaband 1 Narayanpur 5 Sukma 3 Bijapur 5 BijapurJan 16 Sukma border 12 Jan 21 Gariaband 16 Feb 1 Bijapur 8 Feb 9 Bijapur 31 assault rifles and grenade launchers from the encounter location. This year, 81 Maoists have been killed in separate encounters in Chhattisgarh. “In the last 13 months, 282 Maoists have been neutralised, 1,033 arrested and 925 have surrendered in Chhattisgarh”, said chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai. The series of encounters against left-wing extremists is a part of a renewed strategy to free Chhattisgarh from the clutch of Maoists. Shortly after the encounter, Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to X and announced, “...Before March 31, 2026, we will completely eradicate Naxalism from the country Shah .” also condoled the death of two security personnel. Delhi govt to be sworn in after PM returns from US JSP launches probe into allegations of extortion against Kiran Royal RA J E S H K U MAR THA K U R @ New Delhi The BJP government in Delhi will be sworn in once Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns from his visit to France and the United States. Modi will leave for France on Monday, and from there, he will travel to the US, where he is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump. Modi will return to India on Thursday . Sources indicated that the swearing-in ceremony will be a grand event aimed at showcasing the unity within the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The chief ministers of all BJP and NDA-ruled states are expected to attend. On Sunday BJP president J P , Nadda met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to expedite the government formation process. Speculation is rife regarding the next Delhi chief minister. Several names are being discussed, including Delhi MLA Parvesh Verma, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj, and party leaders such as Vijender Gupta, Rekha Gupta, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Satish Upadhyay, Manoj Tiwari, and Mohan Singh Bisht. Verma and Rekha Gupta are considered to be the frontrunners. Modi held consultations at the BJP headquarters on Saturday, following his victory speech. With the BJP making impressive gains across various regions and communities, Atishi resigns as chief minister New Delhi: Lt Governor V K Saxena on Sunday ordered the dissolution of the Delhi Assembly after Chief Minister Atishi submitted her resignation. Atishi handed over her resignation to Lt Governor V K Saxena on Sunday, a day after her Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) faced a crushing defeat in the assembly polls. The L-G’s office said that Saxena has asked the outgoing CM to continue in the post till formation of a new government Floodlight glitch stops 2nd ODI for 35 minutes the party now has a broad pool of potential chief ministerial candidates. Political observers believe that broader political messaging often influences the party’s choice when selecting chief ministers, and Delhi is likely to follow this trend. “You never know… The national leadership could present an entirely fresh face who fits the bill and is capable of fulfilling the high expectations of the people in Delhi,” said a BJP worker. Meanwhile, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva has written to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, requesting an appointment to meet him with the 48 newly-elected party MLAs. “I, along with the BJP MPs from Delhi and our newly elected 48 MLAs, wish to meet you at your earliest convenience,” he wrote. E x p r ess Ne w s S e r v i c e @ Tirupati Jana Sena Party (JSP) President and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has directed the party’s Conflict Committee to investigate the allegations made against the Tirupati constituency in-charge, Kiran Royal.   The directive follows the release of a video on social media platform X by YSRCP in which , a woman from Tirupati, identified as Lakshmi, accused Kiran of fraud, extortion, and claimed that he took over `1.20 crore and 25 sovereigns (200 grams) of gold from her under false promises, leaving her in severe financial distress. In the nowviral video, she revealed that she had been driven to the brink of suicide due to his actions. In the video, Lakshmi said: “I took loans and gave `1.20 crore (to Kiran Royal). When I asked for my money back, I was threatened that my children would be harmed. He made me record videos under duress. He only gave me bonds and cheques worth `30 lakh. I have all the honouring gam gantam dora After a century, Manyam hero’s descendants find a home G o m es h S & Ta n m ay D a s U s h a Pe r i @ Visakhapatnam Rohit Sharma and Saqib Mahmood were in the middle of the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack along with the on-field umpires. The rest of the England team had already started walking off the field. For the second time in five minutes, one of the floodlights malfunctioned leading to a stoppage of play during the seventh over of India’s 305run chase against England in the second ODI on Sunday . First, the lights went off from 6.15 PM till 6.20 PM, and just when Mahmood was about to bowl, the lights went off again. This time, it did not turn back on till 6.45 PM, leading to a cumulative stoppage of almost 35 minutes. It is understood that the generator that supplies power to the particular floodlight malfunctioned. “The gen- For generations, the descendants of Gam Gantam Dora, one of the unsung heroes of India’s freedom struggle, have lived in thatched houses in the remote tribal regions of Alluri Sitarama Raju district. Despite his sacrifices during the Rampa Rebellion alongside Alluri Sitarama Raju, his family has remained in hardship and often overlooked. But now, in a historic move, 11 descendants of Gam Gantam Dora will be moving into newly-built apartments in Lanka Veedhi village in Battapanuka in Koyyuru mandal, marking the first-ever residential flats constructed in the tribal Agency area. The initiative, undertaken by NCC Limited, ensures that the families of a freedom fighter, who once fought for the dignity @ Cuttack The floodlight behind the clock tower at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack went off on Sunday | pti erator attached to the floodlight malfunctioned, so the lights were off on that particular stand behind the clock tower. It took time to change the connection from one generator to the othe,” said an OCA official. The Barabati Stadium is one of the oldest in India having been established in 1958. Once a Test venue, the stadium has lost its charm and is in desperate need of renovation. Full story: newindianexpress.com proof. My children are asking me questions, and I have no answers. I cannot live anymore. If I die, I only hope that my children will get back the money .” Until further notice, Kiran has been instructed to refrain from participating in party activities. Pawan also urged party members, including Jana Sainiks, Veera Mahilas, and leaders, to focus on public welfare and avoid personal disputes. He emphasised that no one is above the law and that the legal process will take its course. The YSRCP released Lakshmi’s video shortly after Kiran published a satirical poster criticising party president and former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy over his “Jagananna P4 2.0” remark.  The thatched houses at Lanka Veedhi in Alluri Sitarama Raju district, where descendants of Gam Gantam Dora have been living (R) Residential flats constructed for the tribal leader’s family will be handed over to them on February 17 | G Satyanarayana of his people, will now receive the dignity of a proper home. These flats, comprising two residential blocks (G+2), provide each family with a 700-square-ft unit featuring two bedrooms, a hall, a kitchen, and attached bathrooms. The homes have been donated free of cost to the descendants of the Man- yam hero, ensuring they no longer have to struggle for a roof over their heads. Built with `3.5 crore, the flats will be handed over to the descendants on February 17. Gantam Dora, a prominent tribal leader from Koyyuru, was once a village headman (Munasabu) under the British rule. His strong commitment to tribal welfare put him at odds with colonial authorities, leading to his dismissal and the confiscation of his home in Lanka Veedhi village. Undeterred, he joined the Rampa Rebellion (1922-1924) alongside Alluri Sitarama Raju and Mallu Dora, actively par- ticipating in attacks on Chintapalle, KD Peta, and Rajavommangi police stations. He played a key role in strategic operations against British forces and continued his resistance even after Raju’s death. His fight came to an end in June 1924, when he was killed at Valasampeta village in Singadhara. In 2022, Gantam Dora’s grandson Bodi Dora was felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the centenary celebrations of Alluri Sitarama Raju in Bhimavaram. Despite the Prime Minister’s assurance to support the families of freedom fighters, no action was taken by authorities, leaving them to struggle on their own. In 2023, President Droupadi Murmu attended the closing ceremony of Alluri’s 125th birth anniversary organised by , Kshatriya Seva Samithi.  P4