villupuram l tuesday l april 30, 2024 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l city EDITION Centre to permanently deploy CISF in ED offices in select cities The decision was taken in view of a threat assessment report by the Intelligence Bureau after the Sandeshkhali mob attack | P7 Initial deployment in seven cities SC’s poser on Bengal govt’s plea The force will be deployed at the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) offices in Mumbai, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Jaipur, Ranchi, Raipur and Kochi for now. Highlevel talks are on to weigh deploying them in more cities, sources in the Union home ministry said. A mob linked to a local Trinamool Congress leader attacked ED officers in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali on January 5 ■ ■ The SC on Monday asked the Bengal govt why it has come in as petitioner for “protecting the interest” of some private individuals in the Sandeshkhali case, alluding to the arrest of Shahjahan Sheikh It was hearing the state’s plea against CBI probe into allegations of crimes against women and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali 500+ cases registered every year by the ED over the past 10 years 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 u.p. Diaries Kashi: A Date With The Present Antiquity aside, various modern ages seem to coexist Santwana here. Baba Vishwanath’s Bhattacharya temple has an expansive, spanking new, 21st century Editor corridor. Its high walls, with stone cut in rectangular patterns, also strangely remind Varanasi: In the mind of you of Soviet architecture. India, Varanasi or Kashi is The Banaras Hindu Univeran ancient space suspended sity exudes a century old in an unbroken continuum, Indo-Gothic charm. The Gynot a project under construc- anvapi mosque’s 17th cention. Its life is in the cultural tury architecture, of course, imagination, entwined with is often the subject of frontcenturies-old personal socio- page headlines. Negotiating religious histories—cycles its place under the scorchof birth and death—embed- ing sun, caught between ded far more deep than Ayo- Hindutva and high-rises, dhya. The locals breathe this Varanasi balances itself beair too. Real antiquity is a tween an old-world raison historical detour d’être and a newwhen you keep enfound VIP-ism, like countering the rea trapeze artist. frain: Paanch hazIt’s an uneasy aar saal purana cohabitation. The sheher. Navigating new tourism boom between those ‘five has steadily enthousand years’ and croached upon the First of A the five-year cycles old spiritual amof modern democ- Four-part series bience, which is racy is, then, the peslowly fading culiar fortune of Kashi. away Just like a lot of old In. It’s 2024, and elections to dia. In a 15-minute walk up the 18th Lok Sabha are ap- from Dashaswamedh ghat proaching. A different kind alone, about 300 new guestof continuity unfolds here houses have come up to catoo, of course—a prime min- ter to the new rush of reliister is going for his third gious tourists—a good win. A sense of assuredness number of young among spreads up from the ghats, them—from Pune, Rajkot, as it were, which stand like Meerut, Coimbatore, even watchful sentinels of a lived Seoul. Evening time, they experience. Lifted up into settle on plastic chairs to the city proper, you are witness a Gang a aarti thrown headlong into a bus- through bulb-lit bamboo tling desi lifescape in all its arches. This new spiritualicontemporary variety Here, ty is not quiet: mantras, . what you find is continuity bhajans and then the Maha in conversation with change Tandav Aarti ring out from a t m a n y t a l k a t i v e modern music systems. streetcorners. Continued on: P7 WaPost names former RAW official in Pannun assassination plot in US Report claims India-based official passed on the New York address of the Khalistani leader Ex-RAW boss named Y E S H I S E L I @ New Delhi THE Washington Post on Monday disclosed the identity of ‘CC-1’, the New Delhi-based Indian official who allegedly forwarded the details of Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, including his New York address, to Nikhil Gupta, an alleged middleman who was enlisted to hire a contract killer. The Post named Indian intelligence official Vikram Yadav in the ongoing investigation in the US against the plot to kill Pannun. This is the first time the name is made public. “Yadav’s identity and affiliation, which have not previously been reported, provide the The report claims that ex-RAW chief Samant Goel was under “extreme pressure to eliminate... Sikh extremists overseas”. It says US agencies also assessed the role of National Security Adviser Ajit Doval but there was no proof most explicit evidence to date that the assassination plan — ultimately thwarted by US authorities — was directed from within the Indian spy service,” the report claimed. The US indictment unsealed in November 2023 had withheld the name of the Indian official who allegedly conspired to kill Pannun, referring to him as CC-1. Rahul may contest from Rae Bareli Pree t ha N air @ New Delhi THE Congress is likely to field Rahul Gandhi from Rae Bareli and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may not contest in this year’s Lok Sabha elections, sources in the party said, amid continuing suspense over who would get the Rae Bareli and Amethi nominations. It was widely speculated that Rahul would contest from Amethi. However, sources said the party may field late Congress leader Sheila Kaul’s grandson in that seat. Kaul, a sister-inlaw of Jawaharlal Nehru, was a five-time member of Parliament and Union minister. Sources said who contests from Rae Bareli is important for the Congress as it has been a party bastion since 1951. After serving four consecutive terms as the Rae Bareli MP, Sonia Gandhi vacated the seat to become a Rajya Sabha MP. However, Priyanka’s unwillingness to fight the elections and the BJP’s constant attack on the Gandhis for turning away from the “family bastions” has put the party in a spot. “As Priyanka is unwilling to contest, the party has no other option than fielding Rahul Gandhi. The seat was held by former PM Indira Gandhi three times and Indira’s husband Feroze Gandhi also represented the seat in 1952 and 1957,” said a party leader. An announcement on Rahul’s candidature from Rae Bareli is likely on Tuesday, a party leader said. The Congress has very little time left to make the announcement as the last date to file the nomination papers for both seats is May 3. Voting for Amethi and Rae Bareli constituencies will be held on May 20. Meanwhile, the Congress said its Central Election Committee has authorised party chief Mallikarjun Kharge to decide the candidates. e x pr e ss r e a d Strong room cams blank out for an hour in Erode Erode: Chaos prevailed at the Government Engineering College campus in Chithode on Sunday night after one of the CCTV cameras installed in front of a strong room where EVMs are housed went blank. Returning officer Raja Gopal Sunkara said it was fixed within an hour | P4 JD(S) set to suspend Prajwal over sex abuse Bengaluru: The JD(S) on Monday tried to contain damage by proposing to suspend Hassan MP and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda’s grandson, Prajwal Revanna, who is facing serious allegations of sexual abuse | P5 At 29°C, Ooty records hottest 2 days in 73 yrs Siddha doc, wife hacked to death by long-time patient in Avadi s sen t hil k u m ar @ Nilgiris e x p ress news ser v ice @ Chennai A 72-year-old Siddha doctor and his wife were hacked to death in their house in Mittanemill in Avadi on Sunday night allegedly by a 20-year-old man who was a patient at the clinic run by the doctor at his home. Police said the accused, when nabbed on Monday, still had blood stains on his shirt. The double murder is the latest in a series of crimes reported in the Avadi commissionerate this month. Police said in the latest case, t h e v i c t i m s, Sivan Nair and Prasanna Kumari (63), were murdered by one Mahesh, s o n o f Ta r a Ram, hailing from Jodhpur in Rajasthan. According to police, Mahesh wo rke d at a hardware store Sivan Nair in the same lo(72) and his cality and bewife Prasanna gan visiting Kumari (63) Nair’s clinic in 2019 for a variety of minor ailments, including gastric trouble. “During one visit two months ago, Prasanna Kumari seems to have reprimanded him for entering the house without permission. She asked him to stand by the gate and they would bring the medicine to him. We suspect Mahesh was enraged by this incident,” said a senior police official. P5 “The assassination is a priority now,” the Post report quoted Yadav as saying to Nikhil. The US newspaper report also claimed that Yadav’s mission was approved by the then RAW chief Samant Goel. The report says Yadav was a CRPF officer who was deputed to RAW He was sent back to the . CRPF after the case unravelled. When asked for comment, CRPF officials said there is nothing to comment on “an unconfirmed news report”, adding that deputation of security personnel in intelligence agencies is classified. The Post claimed the report is part of its investigation series about “a global surge in campaigns of cross-border repression.” It added that for the India story its reporters spoke , to various sources in New Delhi, Washington, Ottawa, London, Prague, and Berlin. The Washington Post report also says that the Joe Biden administration has so far refrained from pressing charges against Yadav. Tourists resting under trees on a hot day at the Ooty Botanical Garden, Nilgiris, on Monday | Yoga TN’s hottest on monday 42.6 42 Erode Tirupattur 41.6 41.5 Salem Vellore 41 Karur Less than five months after the temperature in Ooty fell to 0°C in December, the popular tourist destination recorded a high of 29°C, the hottest the hill station has been in 73 years, on Sunday and Monday Tourists, . however, remain undeterred by the heat as officials prepare for more people to visit the traditional summer holiday retreat in the coming days. “This rise in temperature is not limited to Ooty, or even Tamil Nadu. Such an increase is being witnessed across the country,” S Balachandran of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai told TNIE. On Monday Erode recorded the , highest temperature in TN of 42.6°C, followed by Tirupattur with 42°C. Tirupattur also re- E-pass for Nilgiris Chennai: Madras High Court on Monday ordered TN government to introduce an E-pass system for tourist vehicles heading to Nilgiris and Kodaikanal during summer to regulate traffic in the region | P2 corded a temperature deviation of 4.2°C. Other districts that recorded high temperatures include Salem (41.6°C), Vellore (41.5°C) and Karur Paramathi (41°C). Balachandran noted that the temperature spike has occurred right as the El Nino phase is coming to a close. “The overall rise in temperature across TN clearly signals the importance of protecting the environment by planting more trees and preventing deforestation,” he opined. P5 Nirmala Devi, the prime accused in the Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) sex racket case | K K Sundar Court convicts Nirmala Devi in MKU sex racket case harini m @ Virudhunagar The Fast Track Mahila Court in Srivilliputhur on Monday convicted Nirmala Devi, the prime accused in the 2018 case involving a bid to lure female college students into giving sexual favours to Madurai Kamaraj university officials in exchange for marks and financial support. The high-profile case came to light after an audio clip purportedly of the for mer Devanga Arts college assistant professor attempting to lure the female students was circulated online. After the case became linked to the office of then Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Raj Bhavan refuted alle gations of his involvement. While Nir mala Devi was convicted, the court acquitted the other two accused, former MKU assistant professor V Murugan and former MKU res e a rch s ch o l a r S K a r u p pasamy. Judge T Bagavathi Ammal said the quantum of p u n i s h m e n t w i l l b e p ro nounced on Tuesday (April 30). According to sources, she was convicted under five sections, including sections of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. Nir mala Devi, who was teaching at Devanga Arts college in Aruppukottai, was arrested by Aruppukottai Town police on April 16, 2018 under Sections 370 and 511 of the IPC and 67 of the IT Act following a complaint from the college’s secretary Ramasamy, stating that four female students had complained to him that Nirmala tried to engage them to provide sexual favors to MKU officials in return for marks and financial support. The case was transferred to CB-CID within days and Sections of 9 of Immoral Traffic Act and 4 of Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act were also included. During the investigation, Murugan and Karuppasamy were also alleged to be involved in the crime and were arrested. P5 Voters split down the middle in Baramati’s Pawar vs Pawar contest S U D H I R S U R YA W A N S H I @ Mumbai THE contest in Maharashtra’s Baramati Lok Sabha constituency is one of the most highprofile fights that is going to be keenly watched. This time, three-time MP Supriya Sule, daughter of veteran politician and NCP founder Sharad Pawar, is facing tough challenge from her cousin Ajit Pawar’s wife Sunetra, who is contesting for the first time. Baramati is a traditional NCP stronghold and Sharad Pawar used to end his election campaign with a rally in this city However, this time the con. test is so close that senior Pawar is not taking any chance and is spending every second day in Baramati to ensure victory for his daughter. On the other hand, Ajit Pawar is also leaving no stone unturned to get his spouse elected to the Lok Sabha. The stakes are also high because this is the first election after the NCP split last year. According to sources, Sharad Pawar is using his experience and connections to win over the voters, while Ajit Pawar is putting his power and influence to use to turn the tide. However, things are complicated on the ground. “Ajit Pawar now works with his past political rivals. But on the ground, party workers are not ready to bury past animosity Ajit Pawar may face vote . transfer during polling,” said an NCP(SP) leader. As for Ajit Pawar, he doesn’t mince words so that the message is clear. “If any one goes against me, development will be stopped. Funds will not be released. If you want development, then choose my side,” he said bluntly in one of his speeches while campaigning. A local journalist said businessmen are under pressure. “Small businessmen, whose livelihood is at stake, and big business- men, whose business can be easily destroyed by the government machinery, are rallying behind Ajit Pawar,” he added. A political observer said voters are split down the middle. “Those who got some tender work with the blessings of Ajit Pawar are standing with him. These are mostly middle-aged men. But the young crowd who are yet to taste power are with Sharad Pawar. So are those above 50 years, who grew with Sharad Pawar’s politics and development in Baramati,” he said. The Baramati Lok Sabha segment has six Illustration: Mandar Pardikar assembly seats, where Ajit Pawar has the support of four BJP, NCP MLAs. Supriya Sule has the support of two Congress MLAs. In the past three elections, Ajit Pawar was handling all election machinery on the behalf of Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule. This time, Sule and her father don’t have that structural advantage. Sharad Pawar’s grand-nephew and young NCP MLA Rohit Pawar donning that role this time. Sharad Pawar was not much active in past poll campaigns as his nephew Ajit Pawar was doing it on his behalf, though the latter’s brazen nature was often a topic of discussion.
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