MADURAI l wednesday l november 13, 2024 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l LATE CITY EDITION 35 killed, 43 injured after man rams his car into crowd in China Police said the 62-year-old driver, surnamed Fan, had been “triggered by (his) dissatisfaction with the division of property following his divorce” People at Zhuhai sports centre targeted Attacker seriously injured, hospitalised According to police, the disgruntled man drove his small SUV into a crowd of people exercising at a sports centre in the Chinese city of Zhuhai, which is hosting a major international military airshow this week. Terming it a “major vicious incident”, local police said the horrific incident occurred at 7:48 pm on Monday. The attacker tried to flee but the police nabbed him ■ ■ Responding officers found Fan in his vehicle attempting to self-harm with a knife. They swiftly intervened and sent him to hospital Fan is still receiving medical treatment as he was unconscious due to severe injuries to his neck and other areas and is not yet fit to be questioned by the police, state-run Xinhua news agency said | P9 Zhuhai 15th China Int’l Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition kicked off on Tuesday S u d h i r S u r ya w a n s h i @ Mumbai P r a s a n ta M a z u m d a r @ Guwahati A day after he accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of being selective in its searches, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said he was subjected to checks for the second straight day on Tuesday, when he arrived in Latur district to campaign for the November 20 assembly polls. He said official searched his luggage, like they did on Monday after his helicopter landed at Wani in Yavatmal district. Tuesday’s inspection was carried out by the election officials after the former Maharashtra CM’s chopper arrived at a helipad in Ausa of Latur ahead of his rally scheduled to be held in Kasar Shirshi village. According to a video posted on X, Thackeray is heard asking the election staffers why he was being singled out for such searches. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged cash is being exchanged for votes at the behest of BJP-Sena-NCP leaders but the EC is not acting. “Our luggage, helicopter, private jet, cars... everything is checked. They search our homes also... We don’t have a problem if it is done impartially. But, where Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar, and Devendra Fadnavis are contesting, `25 crore have already reached...” he alleged. EC officials later confirmed that nothing objectionable was found in Thackeray’s bags. Three Meitei women and as many children from the same community have been missing from restive Manipur’s Jiribam since Monday’s gunfight in which 10 Kuki ‘militants’ were gunned down by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the police. In Imphal, 13 organisations jointly announced a 24-hour total shutdown in the Imphal valley from 6 pm of Tuesday seeking government intervention to secure the release of the six individuals. Talking about the Jiribam gunfight, Inspector General of Police I K Muivah said armed miscreants had attacked the Borobekra police station and also at a nearby CRPF camp at Jakuradhor on Monday afternoon. “The militants were using RPGs and other sophisticated weapons such as AK, INSAS, SLRs. A CRPF jawan was injured in the attack and evacuated to Assam for treatment,” Muivah said. The CRPF retaliated and the firing stopped after about 45 minutes. “About 10 militants were found dead. Two elderly persons were found burned to death while three women and three minor children were found missing,” the IGP said, adding the police are trying to trace the six missing persons. The two elderly persons were from the Meitei community . Protesting the “inhumane actions” of CRPF in Jiribam, the Kuki Students’ Organisation issued a “notice” stating that “no CRPF personnel shall be allowed to leave their camp premises.” It demanded a thorough and courtmonitored probe into the “fake encounter”. Canada consular event cancelled The Brampton Triveni temple in Canada cancelled a consular event after the police warned them of an “extremely high” threat level of violent protests | P8 Given the kinds of weapons recovered and the clothes they wore, we can say that they were either armed militants or armed miscreants I K Muivah, IGP Kuki fiat No CRPF personnel shall be allowed to leave their camp premises till they apologise, a Kuki student outfit said The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) said on Tuesday that the low-pressure area lying over the Southwest Bay of Bengal, off North Tamil Nadu and adjoining South Andhra Pradesh coasts, is weak and unlikely to develop into a depression. However, heavy rains are expected in the north coastal districts, southern districts, and western ghats districts over the next four days. Meat and fish Snacks, sweets Cereals and products 7.43 6.94 4.87 3.65 3.17 Figures are inflation rates (%) of the items for October 2024 Inflation heat breaches RBI’s top tolerance level Retail inflation shoots up to 6.21% in October, dashes rate cut hopes MONIKA YADAV @ New Delhi THE spectre of inflation has come back to haunt the economy as retail inflation shot up to 6.21% in October, marking the highest level in 14 months, driven by a sharp spike in food prices. This surge was noted in the prices of fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and cooking oils. Food inflation rose considerably to 10.87% in October, the highest in 15 months, up from 9.24% in September and 6.61% in the same month last year. In October, the rate of price increases exceeded the Reserve Bank of India’s upper limit for acceptable inflation (6%). Rural areas experienced a significant rise in inflation at 6.7%, while urban consumers faced a lower rate of 5.6%. The latest inflation numbers dash any IIP TURNS POSITIVE India’s industrial production grew 3.1% with all three key sectors— mining, manufacturing, and power generation—demonstrating positive trends in September. This is a notable improvement as factory output had dipped to (-) 0.1% in August hope of an interest rate cut by the RBI during its monetary policy review in December. In October, food prices in rural areas increased 10.7%, while urban food inflation was even steeper at 11.1%. Meanwhile, inflation for vegetables surged from 36% in September to a five-year high of 42.2% in October. Additionally edible oil , prices rose 9.5%, the biggest jump in two years. Fruit prices rose 8.4%, while inflation for pulses decreased to 7.4%, ending a 17-month streak of double-digit price increases. On the other hand, spice prices fell 7%. Additionally in October, households , experienced an 11% increase in the costs of personal care products and services, up from 9% in September. For experts, core inflation remaining below 4% for 11th consecutive month is a big positive. “The surge in vegetable prices was due to uneven rains. Data for November suggests some moderation in vegetable prices. This, in addition to a favourable base, can lend some downside to vegetable inflation,” said Dharmakirti Joshi, chief economist, CRISIL. protest in pamban SL arrests 12 more fishers from TN Nagapattinam: Even as hundreds of fishermen and family members of 23 fishers arrested by the SL Navy on Sunday were holding protest in Rameswaram, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 12 fishermen belonging to Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai for fishing in the island nation’s waters on Tuesday. CM MK Stalin once again wrote to foreign minister S Jaishankar, urging him to take immediate diplomatic efforts to secure the release of Tamil fishers and boats | P4 guv at book launch ‘TN govt failed to identify martyrs’ Chennai: After TN government failed to identify all those from Tamil Nadu who took part in the nation’s freedom struggle, Raj Bhavan has identified 4,700 TN youth who were part of the Indian National Army led by Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, said Governor RN Ravi on Tuesday. At least, 6,000 TN youth could have been part of INA, said the governor while speaking at the release of the book “The Battles of Panchalankurichi” at an event in Chennai | P4 Carbon market deal done? Experts wary Sterlite end imminent S V Krishna Chaitanya EXPRESS IN BAKU T he United National Climate Conference (COP29) presidency has claimed early success with the adoption of standards for carbon credits, referred to as Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement, a long-debated framework designed to help nations collaborate on reducing carbon emissions. But, critics say it was pushed without adequate scrutiny and would lead to greenwashing as there are not enough safeguards. Yalchin Rafiyev, COP29 lead negotiator, told the media, “This will be a game-changing Yalchin Rafiyev Game-changing tool: COP29 “This will be a game-changing tool to direct resources to the developing world and help us save up to $250 billion a year when implementing our climate plans,” said Yalchin Rafiyev, Azerbaijan’s Dy foreign minister and COP29 lead negotiator tool to direct resources to the developing world.” However, Harjeet Singh, Global Engagement Director for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, disagreed. “Fast-tracking carbon market rules at the start of COP29 sets a troubling precedent. Rushed rules open the door to weak, false ‘solutions’ that will only delay real climate action,” he told this paper. Article 6, offers two options for trading: countries can enter into bilateral agreements and set their own rules, or participate in a United Nations-supervised market open to all. This UN supervised carbon market, in which the credit price will be fixed by the market players but embedded with third party accreditation, has several loopholes. Critics argue that the benefits of Article 6 are far from guaranteed, as they could result in potential human rights abuses and ‘greenwashing’, in which polluters can claim environmental progress without genuinely reducing emissions. However, Martin Hession, Vice-Chair of the Article 6.4 of the Supervisory Body told this , newspaper, “there are enough safeguards to thwart greenwashing. Third party verification is integral. But, individual countries must also ensure the quality of credits. We are setting high quality standards.” On Article 6, India expects to conclude the deal. It hopes COP29 would be able to agree to a mechanism which uses market-based instruments (such as carbon credits) to incentivise low-carbon development. Low pressure weakens, but heavy rain in TN may persist E x p r e s s N e w s S e r v i c e @ Chennai Pulses and products Fruits 42.18 10.99 9.69 9.51 8.43 express read Egg What’s driving the price rise Oils and fats Two Meiteis charred to death, 6 missing Food and beverages Day after Personal care High drama as Uddhav’s bags checked again by EC officials Vegetables 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 In the last 24 hours, heavy rainfall was recorded at isolated places in the state. Perungudi in Chennai recorded the highest rainfall of 8 cm in 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Tuesday Alan. dur, Meenambakkam, Adyar, Alandur and YMCA Nandanam in Chennai recorded 6 cm each during the same period. From October 1 till date, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry region have received 256 cm of rainfall, which is 1% lower than the usual 259 cm. P5 Perungudi in Chennai recorded the highest rainfall of 8 cm in the 24 hours till 8.30 am on Tuesday | p ravikumar as SC rejects review plea against shutdown S u c h i t r a K a lya n M o h a n t y @ New Delhi In a major setback to Vedanta Group, the Supreme Court has rejected the review petition filed by the company challenging the order passed by the court in February upholding the Madras High Court’s decision to close the Thoothukudi plant in Tamil Nadu. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud (who has since demitted office) had passed the order on October 22 and the judgment copy has been uploaded recently . The only legal recourse now left for the company is to file a curative petition before the apex court. The apex court did not find any ground to review its earlier order. “Application for listing the review petition in open court is rejected. Delay condoned. The review petitions are dismissed in ter ms of the signed order. Pending application, if any stands disposed of,” , the bench had said in its order. On February 29 this year, the SC had rejected the Vedanta’s petition challenging the Madras HC’s order of closing of the plant in Thoothukudi plant in Tami Nadu. Vedanta had then moved the SC challenging that order and requested for a review of it. The top court in its February order noted that there are “repeated breaches” and “serious violations” on the part of Vedanta in the case. The SC had also had rejected the appeals filed by Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) challenging the observations made by the Madras High Court against it in connection with its inaction in the case. “We are of the view that the HC was justified in making those observations in regard to the lack of alacriy on the part of the TNPCB in discharging its duties,” the SC had said. While rejecting Vedanta’s appeal, the SC said, “We are conscious of the nature of contribution of the company to the area. However, court said we have to be mindful of principle of sustainable development, and health and welfare of the residents of the area is a matter of utmost concern.” P5 wax eloquent Ahead of 2026 polls, DMK readies army of young orators to win over people’s hearts K E z h i l a r a s a n @ Tiruchy The DMK, whose leaders are known for their ‘gift of the gab’, seems to be upping its game as the party has handpicked and groomed 182 young orators to campaign for the party in the 2026 Assembly elections. These speakers have been selected after multi-level competitions and training camps from a total of 17,000 aspirants. Since its initial days, DMK grew in Tamil soil through its leaders’ speeches and writings. Many of its leaders were fiery orators who could captivate the masses through their literary and emotional oration. DMK founder CN Annadurai described EVR Periyar’s public meetings as “Tamil Nadu’s first evening colleges”. Late DMK leader K Anbazhagan, in a book, equated ‘speech’ to ‘service’ (thondu). To reclaim the party’s peerless distinction in public speaking, DMK president and Chief Minister M K Stalin tasked deputy CM and youth wing secretary Udhaya- nidhi Stalin to infuse fresh blood into the art by identifying 100 young orators. Since last June, DMK youth wing functionaries have been reaching out to colleges for their Kalaignar Karunanidhi centenary speech competition titled “En Uyrinum Melana” — the Tamil words with which the late Dravidian leader used to begin his speeches. DMK youth wing state deputy secretary S Joel said 85 judges at the district-level selected 913 orators, who attended training camps that featured classes from Dravidian ideologues and I am sure these young orators will be playing a significant role in DMK’s win in 2026 elections — Nanjil Sampath renowned orators, and received books to read. The 913 contestants received a cash prize of `10,000 each. After the training camps, 182 orators were selected for the state-level competition held on October 26 in Chennai. The next day, Stalin distributed `3 lakh, `2 lakh and `1 lakh cash prizes to the top three orators. Nanjil Sampath, a popular orator, said, “As far as I know, no political party in India has organised an orator selection of this size in one go. At a time when public stage speaking in Tamil is facing a crisis, the DMK has rejuvenated it with a force of 182 speakers, providing them the status of headquarters orators. I am sure they will play a significant role in DMK’s win in 2026 elections.” P5