tirupati l wednesday l march 05, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late city EDITION Kuki-Zo groups defy Shah fiat, to block free travel in Manipur The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) said no free movement would be permitted in Kuki-Zo areas until the community’s aspirations are fulfilled File photo Demand separate U.T. with legislature The decision was part of an ‘eight-point charter of resolution’ adopted at an event on Monday. The resolution followed Home Minister Amit Shah’s directive to security agencies to ensure free movement for people on all roads in Manipur from March 8. COTU said its demand for a separate Union Territory with legislature is non-negotiable and that protests will continue ■ 250 Meitei body seeks action on Kuki group ■ The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an umbrella body of several civil society organisations of the Meiteis, demanded legal action against COTU for instigating violence Shah’s order sought to lift the curbs on travel through the areas inhabited by both Meiteis and Kukis since ethnic violence broke out Estimated number of people killed in ethnic violence in the state since 2023 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 NDA-backed candidates win in MLC polls S V i s w a n at h @ Vijayawada Candidates supported by the TDP-led NDA won from Krishna - Guntur, and East Godavari - West Godavari Graduates’ Constituencies in the MLC elections. The TDP-JSPBJP combine secured a record win in the first polls after the general elections in 2024. From the Krishna - Guntur Constituency Alapati Rajendra , Prasad won with a huge margin of 82,320 votes against his nearest rival KS Lakshmana Rao of PDF. He secured 1,45,057 votes, accounting for 67.51% of the total ballots cast. Perabathula Rajasekhar was elected from the Godavari Graduates’ Constituency with a majority of 77,460 votes against his nearest rival DV Raghavulu. He got 1,24,702 votes, accounting for 62.59% of the total ballots cast. In the general elections, the NDA got 59.28% of votes in the erstwhile East and West Godavari districts, and 58.19% of votes in the combined Krishna and Guntur districts. However, in the MLC elections, candidates supported by the NDA secured 62.59% and 67.51% of votes in Godavari and Krishna - Guntur constituencies. NDA leaders claimed that the verdict given by the voters of both the constituencies, covering 67 Assembly segments in four erstwhile districts, reflect- ed the trust reposed by the people in the efficient administration of coalition government. As the candidates supported by the TDP won in the elections held to three Graduates’ Constituencies in 2023, the NDA got all the five graduate seats in the Legislative Council with the fresh win of the two. A TDP leader said Lakshmana Rao suffered loss because of the support extended to him by the YSRCP. “The MLC poll results are a testament to the trust of people in the leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu,” he observed. Poor taste S u c h i t r a K a lya n M o h a n t y @ New Delhi Shreyas Iyer (L) & Virat Kohli added 91 runs for the third wicket against Australia in Champions Trophy semifinal | AP Desert storm: india in final G o m es h S @ Chennai And just like that India are in yet another ICC event final. Their fourth in as many events in the last two years, second in a 50-over global event. But this Champions Trophy will feel special. On the other side were the Australians. Though naysayers might say it’s a team without three of their frontline bowlers, yet it’s still a grudge match after losing the 50-over World Cup final. The Aussies are always the biggest threat. Even on Tuesday in front of packed Dubai International Stadium, they threatened to run away with the match with some sumptu- ous hitting after electing to bat. But India were not having any of the surprises this evening. They had all bases covered and once again played with four spinners on a slow wicket. Whenever a partnership was building, India managed to break it. The wounds of World Test Championship final 2023 and the ODI World Cup 2023 to Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 are still fresh and any win would lead to some healing. The four-wicket win on the tricky Dubai surface once again showed why India have been dominating the shorter forms of cricket. Virat Kohli once again showed why he is the king of chase with a match-winning knock of 84. K L Rahul remained unbeaten on 42. Aussie skipper Steve Smith and Alex Carey played one of the best innings they have on such a surface. Mohammed Shami was in his vintage best picking three wickets including that of Smith. When Aussies were all out for 264, the smile that vanished from skipper Rohit Sharma’s face resurfaced. Unlike their reputation, the Aussies dropped three catches, including of Kohli when on 51. In the end, in the first ODI encounter between the two since the 2023 ODI WC final, India returned the favour, knocking AustralP11 ia out of CT.  ‘Growth dip in 2019-24 cost State `6.94L cr’ S G u r u S r i k a n t h @ Vijayawada Squarely blaming the YSRCP regime for the financial mess inherited eight months ago, Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav has asserted that the coalition gover nment, through concerted efforts, made adequate budgetary allocations to all the departments, laying equal emphasis on development and welfare. Replying to the budget discussion in the AP Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, he said express read Posani files quash petition in High Court Vijayawada: YSRCP leader and actor Posani Krishna Murali approached the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Tuesday with a quash petition, challenging multiple cases filed against him by police in Pathapatnam, Vijayawada, Suryaraopeta, Kurnool and Adoni. Seeking an interim stay on the ongoing police investigations, Posani claimed that the cases registered against him were politically motivated and baseless, and supported by no evidence of misconduct. — Donald Trump Global trade war begins as high US tariffs kick in Canada and China hit back with equal tariffs on US, Mexico to take reciprocal action soon B E NN KOCHU V E E DAN @ Mumbai Pejorative ‘Pakistani’ not offence: SC The Supreme Court has held that using pejoratives like ‘miyan-tiyan’ or ‘Pakistani’ are in poor taste but do not constitute a criminal offense intended to hurt religious sentiments. A two-judge bench comprising justices B V Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma, pronounced the verdict on February 11 after hearing an appeal filed by Hari Nandan Singh, 80, who was accused of making these remarks. While quashing the case, the court said there was no assault involved in the case to attract Section 353 of the IPC. It faulted the Jharkhand High Court for refusing to quash the trial court’s verdict. “Undoubtedly, the statements made are poor taste. However, it does not amount to hurting the religious sentiments of the informant.” The prosecution had accused Singh of hurting the religious feelings of the informant. The top court, however, did not find any evidence to justify the case. It said there was no assault or use of force by the appellant to attract Section 353 (assault or criminal force used to stop a public servant from doing their duty) of the IPC. “Therefore, the High Court ought to have discharged the appellant under Section 353 IPC... ,” the verdict said. It’s a very powerful weapon that politicians haven’t used before because they were stupid, dishonest, or paid off Andhra Pradesh’s growth rate declined from 13.5% to 10.5% under the YSRCP government during 2019-24, costing the State `6.94 lakh crore. In a sarcastic jab, Payyavula likened the YSRCP to smoking and alcohol, warning it is injurious to society and the State. Lauding the insights of 30 MLAs who actively participated in the budget discussion, Payyavula termed the absent YSRCP members dropouts. Payyavula admitted the initial despair over the financial chaos, but said a visit to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s office revived hope. “Our leader showed us the way, and urged us to confront challenges head-on,” he said. Pledging 25 years of excise revenue, government buildings, Rythu Bazaars, and Vizag Circuit House, compromising even the Gover- nor’s security, reflected the financial recklessness of the YSRCP regime. “When I cautioned them as the Public Accounts Committee Chairman, I faced ridicule,” Payyavula said. Making a PowerPoint presentation, he revealed that Andhra Pradesh’s FY 2024-25 State Own Resources (SOR) were `1,01,985 crore, with 87% (`89,008 crore) spent on salaries and pensions, compared to Telangana’s 30% (`51,682 crore of P4 `1,73,389 crore).  The global trade war has officially begun with US President Donald Trump’s new 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, and an enhanced 20% duty on Chinese goods, taking effect on Tuesday . Trump said the tariffs on Canada and Mexico are “to combat the extraordinary threat to US national security including public health posed , by unchecked trafficking” of lethal drugs such as fentanyl and nitazene synthesis, which could kill 9.5 million Americans. According to the White House, 68% of all drug poisoning deaths in 2022 and 2023 were caused by synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl. In 2024, Mexico’s exports to the US were $506 billion and the total bilateral trade was $839.9 billion. The US exported $334 billion to Mexico, making it America’s top trading partner for the second consecutive year in 2024. The US had a trade deficit of $171.8 billion. Mexico is the biggest supplier of passenger cars to the US, with 23% of all US car imports. China’s total trade with the US was $582.4 billion in 2024, while the US exports to China was only $143.5 billion and imports were $438.9 billion, causing a trade deficit of $295.4 billion. In 2024, Canada exported 75.9% of all its goods to the US worth $410 billion, led by $107 billion in crude oil alone, and leaving it with a merchandise trade surplus of $102.3 billion. The tariff war has put global markets on edge and triggered retaliations by the affected nations. China and Canada—the US’ second largest trading partner and third largest source market, respectively—announced equal retaliatory tariffs. Mexico—the largest source market for the US and the largest auto supplier—said it would announce counter tariffs shortly . Canada announced a 25% tariff on $107 billion worth of US goods, while China slapped an additional 15% tariff on US farm goods like corn and soybeans. With the additional duties, the average effective US tariff rate on Chinese goods has hit 33%, up from around 13% before Trump began his latest term in January according to an anal, ysis by Nomura. YSRCP injurious to society, says FM In a sarcastic jab, Keshav likened the YSRCP to smoking and alcohol, warning it is injurious to society and the State. “Those who can’t create wealth have no right to distribute it,” he observed Maha Min Munde quits after murder heat S u d h i r S u r ya w a n s h i @ Mumbai Maharashtra minister Dhananjay Munde on Tuesday resigned after his close aide Walmik Karad was named the mastermind in the horrific abduction, torture and murder of Santosh Deshmukh, a sarpanch in Beed. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accepted his resignation and forwarded it to Governor C P Radhakrishnan. Munde, 49, had represented the NCP led by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in the min- istry. His vacancy could be CID in a local court. filled by sulking party veteran Deshmukh was murdered on Chhagan Bhujbal. December 9 after he tried to Gory images of stop an extortion rackDeshmukh, 45, tied to et targeting Avaada, a vehicle and dragged an energy firm. Seven for several kilometres accused, including Kawent viral on social rad, have been arrestmedia. The assailants, ed. Sources said Fadincluding Karad, alnavis called Ajit Pawar legedly beat him with and senior NCP leader Dhananjay Munde Praful Patel to his bunan iron rod, and when he asked for water, peed galow, shared with in his mouth. These photo- them the CID’s findings, and g r a p h s a r e p a r t o f t h e added that Munde cannot be chargesheet submitted by the defended any longer. Advantage Bhujbal? Sources said estranged NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal could take Munde’s place in the ministry. Bhujbal has been sulking as he was not given a Cabinet berth Justin Trudeau, Canadian PM So today, the US launched a trade war against Canada, their closest partner and ally, their closest friend Claudia Sheinbaum MEXICAN PREZ The US’ unilateral decision affects our people and firms operating in Mexico Global markets tumble 1.45% Dow Jones Indl Avg 0.45% Nasdaq Composite 1.05% S&P 500 Index Updated till 11:25 pm MILITARY aid pause softens Zelenskyy E x p r ess Ne w s S e r v i c e @ New Delhi THE Trump administration has suspended all US military aid to Ukraine, halting crucial shipments and increasing pressure on Kyiv to seek peace with Moscow, deepening the rift with Europe. The decision comes after the blow-up in the White House last week during which President Donald Trump, infuriated over Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s alleged ‘disrespect and ingratitude’, told him he was “gambling with a third world war”. Zelenskyy was asked to come back “when he is ready for peace”. “The President has been clear he is focused on peace... We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution,” a White House official said. Reacting to the development, Zelenskyy said he wants to “make things right” with Trump. “Our meeting in Washington on Friday did not go as planned. It is regrettable that it happened this way. It’s time to make things right. We want future cooperation and communication to be constructive,” he posted on X. Meanwhile, European Union leaders announced a $841-billion plan to defend European countries and boost Ukraine’s security Twenty-seven EU lead. ers will meet in Brussels on T hursday to discuss the package. Since the start of the UkraineRussia conflict in 2022, the US has provided $65.9 billion in military aid to Kyiv. Further contributions are uncertain after Trump ordered a pause on aid, affecting deliveries of ammunition, vehicles, and other equipment, including shipments previously agreed upon under Joe Biden’s presidency . The US decision further deepens the rift between the Trump administration and Europe, as what the State Department described as the US’ “unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” is now under threat.