BHUBANESWAR  WEDNESDAY  MARCH 05, 2025  `9.00  PAGES 12  JEYPORE EDITION KUKI-ZO GROUPS DEFY SHAH FIAT, TO BLOCK FREE TRAVEL IN MANIPUR 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 The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) said no free movement would be permitted in Kuki-Zo areas until the community’s aspirations are fulfilled ■ 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 CM invites Naveen to Biju Babu’s birth anniv event EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Bhubaneswar AMIDST the raging controversy over the change in the date of celebration of Panchayati Raj Diwas from March 5 to April 24, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday invited leader of the Opposition (LoP) and BJD president Naveen Patnaik to attend the state-level function to be organised by the Odisha gover nment in memory of Biju Patnaik. The CM wrote to the LoP, inviting him to join as a ‘distinguished guest’ at the state-level event at Jayadev Bhavan to celebrate the legendary leader’s birth anniversary on March 5 which was earlier observed as Panchayati Raj Diwas. “The state government will be celebrating the birth anniversary of Biju Patnaik, a great son of Odisha, on March 5. A state-level event is being organised at Jayadev Bhavan from 7 pm to celebrate the legendary leader. I would request you to grace the occasion as a distinguished guest,” the CM wrote. Meanwhile, the BJD too decided to celebrate the birth anniversary of Biju Patnaik across the state on the day in a grand manner. Party president Naveen along with several senior leaders will attend a state level function at Sankha Bhawan, the party headquarters of BJD here. The former chief minister will also address party leaders and workers at the function. The state has been celebrating Panchayati Raj Diwas on March 5, marking the birth anniversary of Biju Patnaik, re- State govt will be celebrating the birth anniversary of Biju Patnaik, a great son of Odisha, on March 5. I would request you to grace the occasion as a distinguished guest – Mohan Majhi, CM garded as a pioneer in implementing the panchayati raj system in the country for more than last three decades. Meanwhile, with the government deciding to celebrate Panchayati Raj Diwas on April 24 instead of March 5, the School and Mass Education and Higher Education departments cancelled Wednesday as a holiday . Both the departments notified that schools and colleges running under them will remain open on the day . The Revenue and Disaster Management and other departments also issued a similar notification asking their officials and field functionaries to remain on duty . POOR TASTE — 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 N N K O C H U V E E D A N @ Mumbai Pejorative ‘Pakistani’ not a criminal offence: SC S U C H I T R A K A LYA N M O H A N T Y @ New Delhi 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... Additionally we find that , the appellant cannot be charged under Section 504 IPC, as there was no act on his part that could have provoked a breach of peace and accordingly, deserves to be discharged under Section 504 IPC as well,” the verdict said. The prosecution had argued that in 2020, when the complainant, an Urdu translator and acting clerk (Right to Information) at the Chas Sub-Divisional Office of Bokaro district in Jharkhand, went to deliver the infor mation sought by Singh at his residence, the accused allegedly abused him by referring to his religion. It’s a very powerful weapon that politicians haven’t used before because they were stupid, dishonest, or paid off 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 E S 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. 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. 22-yr-old bludgeons parents, sister to death A M A R N AT H PA R I D A @ Jagatsinghpur AFTER allegedly being assaulted by his father, a 22-year-old youth bludgeoned his parents and elder sister to death, in Jagatsinghpur late on Monday . Preliminary investigation suggested Suryakant Sethy went on a murderous rage after the assault which left him with a broken tooth or two. Police arrested the 22-year-old who used a stone and iron rod to kill the family members in cold blood. The deceased were identified as 55-year-old Prasant Sethy, his wife Kankalata Sethy (51) and their daughter Rosalin (25). They all lived in Jayabada area which is part of Jagatsinghpur municipality . Prasant owned a laundry shop in Jagatsinghpur town. He had four children - three sons and a daughter. Elder son Ramakant Sethy (34) lives in Keonjhar where he works with the police department, while his second son Umakant Sethy (32) is employed with a private company in Bhubaneswar. Youngest child Suryakant, a tuition teacher, had completed his graduation and was preparing for competitive examinations to land a government job. The family often had disputes over the 22-year-old who was unemployed and spent time playing games on his mobile phone. On Monday night, Prasant reportedly beat Suryakant over one such fight, breaking two of his teeth. In a fit of rage, the accused first crushed his father’s head using a stone and an iron rod. He then attacked his mother in the same manner before turning on his sister, ultimately stoning her to death too. At around 3:30 am, Suryakant woke up his neighbours and informed them to their horror that he had murdered his parents and sister. He claimed he sought justice from them. Hearing the news, shocked villagers immediately informed the police. CONTINUED ON P5 Maha Minister 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 Gover nor C P Radhakrishnan. Munde, 49, had represented the NCP led by deputy chief minister part of the chargesheet submitted Ajit Pawar in the ministry . by the criminal investigaHis vacancy could be filled tion department (CID) in by sulking party veteran a local court. Chhagan Bhujbal. Deshmukh was murGory images of Deshdered on December 9 after mukh, 45, tied to a vehicle he tried to stop an extorand dragged for several tion racket targeting kilometres went viral on Avaada, an energy firm. Dhananjay Munde social media. The assailSeven accused, including ants, including Karad, allegedly Karad, have been arrested while beat him with an iron rod, and one person is on the run. when he asked for water, peed in Sources said Fadnavis called his mouth. These photographs are Ajit Pawar and senior NCP leader Praful Patel to his bungalow, shared with them the CID’s findings, and added that Munde cannot be defended any longer. The decision to force Munde to resign was taken late on Monday night. Congress MLA Nana Patole accused Fadnavis of breach of protocol as he had announced Munde’s resignation in the media without sharing it with the assembly first. “Munde’s name should be added to the list of accused in the supplementary chargesheet,” he said. 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 EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ 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 T r u m p, i n f u r i a t e d ove r 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, EU leaders announced a $841-billion plan to defend European countries and boost Ukraine’s security . Twenty-seven EU leaders will meet in Brussels on Thursday to discuss the package. Since the star t of the Ukraine-Russia 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.