BHUBANESWAR  TUESDAY  APRIL 29, 2025  `9.00  PAGES 12  LATE CITY EDITION RUSSIA ANNOUNCES UNILATERAL CEASEFIRE IN UKRAINE NEXT WEEK Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a 72-hr ceasefire from May 8 midnight to May 10 midnight to mark Victory Day UKRAINE DISMISSES IT AS ‘WINDOW DRESSING’ NEED PERMANENT CEASEFIRE, SAYS TRUMP The Kremlin said the truce was on humanitarian grounds. “Russia believes the Ukrainian side should follow this example,” the Kremlin said, adding its forces will respond in kind if Ukraine violates the ceasefire. Dismissing Putin’s move as ‘window dressing’, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said: “If Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately.” ■ ■ The development comes after US President Donald Trump expressed doubts about Putin’s interest in ending the war. The White House said Trump wanted a permanent ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine This is the second unilateral truce offer by Putin, following a 30-hour Easter ceasefire that saw each side accusing the other of violating it May 9 IS CELEBRATED AS VICTORY DAY TO MARK SOVIET UNION’S VICTORY IN WORLD WAR-II 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 Omar Abdullah says he will not use the Pahalgam brutality to demand statehood Rajnath meets Modi; Pak says incursion imminent EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi J&K MLAs, including CM Omar Abdullah, pay homage to the victims of the Pahalgam attack, in the assembly on Monday | PTI Assault on Kashmiriyat: J&K House resolution F AYA Z W A N I @ Srinagar A special session of the J&K assembly on Monday passed a unanimous resolution describing the April 22 terror attack on tourists at Pahalgam as a direct assault on Kashmiriyat, the Constitution and the spirit of unity, peace and harmony. As many as 25 tourists and a local resident were slaughtered in the attack. But what caught the eye was a contrite Omar Abdullah admitting he had failed in his capacities as chief minister and tourism minister to protect the lives of tourists. Participating in the debate, he added that he will not use the Pahalgam incident to demand statehood. “How can I use the Pahalgam incident to demand restoration of statehood from the Centre? I do not believe in cheap politics... Curse on me if I go to the Centre and tell them that 26 peo- ple have died and now give me statehood.” Omar described the massacre as the beginning of the end of terror in Kashmir and cautioned against taking any step or action that “distances people from us and hurts this spontaneous protest”. He was alluding to the recent demolition of houses of terrorists and mass arrests. “This was not just an attack on people from one state — it was an attack on the very soul of India. The victims hailed from across India, from Arunachal Pradesh to Gujarat, from Kerala to J&K. The whole country has been affected by this attack,” he said. “I fully know that J&K’s security is not the responsibility of the elected government but as CM and tourism minister I had invited them to visit here and as a host it was my responsibility to ensure the safety of tourists, but I failed to do so,” Omar said. 16 PAKISTANI YOUTUBE CHANNELS BLOCKED New Delhi: The govt blocked 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly disseminating “false, provocative and communally sensitive content” about India. It also objected to the BBC’s reportage on Pahalgam RANA’S NIA CUSTODY EXTENDED BY 12 DAYS New Delhi: A Delhi court on Monday extended by 12 more days the NIA custody of 26/11 Mumbai attack accused Tahawwur Rana. The special court extended his custody on NIA’s request after his previous 18-day remand got over MAN HELD FOR WINDOW DAMAGE AT MISSION London: An Indian-origin man was arrested on Sunday for allegedly smashing the windows of the Pak High Commission here following protest over the Pahalgam massacre. Ankit Love, 41, was charged with criminal damage In a first, VSSUT cracks the whip on indiscipline, penalises 100 students M AYA N K B H U S A N PA N I @ Sambalpur IN a rare disciplinary action, around 100 students have been penalised by the Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla for violations. The punishments included reduction of a grade in two or more theory subjects of the ongoing semester and imposition of fines ranging from `1,000 to `5,000. Some students have also been assigned to participate in social work under the supervision of the vice president of sports or hostel wardens. Following a meeting of the Disciplinary Committee on April 25, the university issued an order listing the names of all 100 students along with the punishments awarded. Majority of the students belonged to the third year followed by 11 4th year students, 11 1st year students, two 2nd year students and one M.Sc. student. The punishments included reduction of a grade in two or more theory subjects of the ongoing semester and imposition of fines ranging from `1,000 to `5,000 University officials The violations included indiscipline, poor attendance and breach of university regulations such as visiting restricted areas in and around Hirakud dam reservoir despite prohibitions. The list includes six 4th year girls who had violated the prohibition order and visited Fishery Point in Burla, an act that led to the tragic death of a fellow student earlier this month. Along with the reduction of one grade in all theory and sessional subjects, they have been fined `5,000 each and expelled from their respective hostels. Additionally, around 24 stu- dents have been debarred from holding any elected, nominated or selected offices, participating in activities or serving as captains of sports teams. They have also been barred from receiving medals, certificates, and prizes linked to academic and extracurricular achievements. Except for 15 students, the rest have been directed to submit an affidavit, along with their parents, at the office of the dean of students’ welfare to refrain from any form of indiscipline for the remainder of their time at VSSUT to avoid further severe punishment or expulsion. Students have been given time until May 9 to deposit their fines. “Our intent is not to impose unnecessary restrictions on students but to safeguard their lives by ensuring a culture of responsibility and accountability said ,” a university spokesperson. AMID heightened security activity in J&K as India weighs it options following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him on the ongoing operations. The closed-door meeting lasted around 40 minutes. Earlier in the day Rajnath , was given a detailed briefing by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on the ground situation in J&K. Rajnath Singh, The meet- defence minister ing came on a day when Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told news agency Reuters that a military incursion by India was imminent. “We have reinforced our forces because it is something which is imminent now,” he said, adding some strategic decisions have been taken. Asif said Pakistan would only use its arsenal of nuclear weapons if “there is a direct threat to our existence”. Meanwhile, the Line of Control remained active with Pak Army indulging in small arms fire in the Kupwara and Poonch sectors. Odisha seeks guidance from MHA as Pakistanis refuse to leave the state illegally in the country,” said sources. Sultana and her husFACED with a rather uncommon band have two sons and two task of acting against Pakistani daughters. nationals unwilling to leave India “After Sultana did not comply after the Pahalgam terror attack, with the leave India notice, we Odisha administration is looking requested the authorities confor instructions from the Minis- cerned to direct us regarding the try of Home Affairs, top govern- next course of action against ment sources said on Monday . her,” said Balasore SP, Raj There are at least two cases Prasad. where the law enforcement While Sultana does not authorities have found have any valid document, themselves on a sticky a Hindu woman from Pawicket. kistan, Sharda Bai of Razia Sultana of BalaBalangir, had applied for ISA V sore, who refused to long term visa (LTV) comply with the deportaaround four to five tion order, claimed she months back. She even was born in India but her applied for Indian citiparents later shifted to zenship in 2016. However, Pakistan. She reportedly both her applications are At least one arrived again in the still pending with the Pakistani country with her three Centre, said sources. national has “We have requested the siblings and parents in already left. We are authorities in the state 1980. A year later, she visawaiting government to give us ited Odisha and got marfurther specific instructions reried to a Soro native. instructions g arding our fur ther Though her family memregarding course of action regardbers returned to Pakithose whose ing Sharda Bai refusing stan in 1984, Sultana LTV has been to leave the country said ,” stayed back in Odisha approved and Balangir SP, Abilash G. with her husband. those who have applied Sharda, who is in her What has made the mid-50s, has one son and matter more complex is YB Khurania, DGP daughter each. Her husthere is no record on the band passed away a few type of visa she was holding when she arrived in India in years ago. As per the Immigration and 1980. She never applied for any visa again or attempted to ac- Foreigners Act, 2025, any Pakistani national, who fails to leave quire Indian citizenship. “Prima facie Sultana may have India as per the deadlines set by fulfilled the criteria of citizen- the government, will be arrested, ship by naturalization and regis- prosecuted and may face a jail tration but the 60-year-old nei- term of up to three years or a ther applied for visa nor fine of a maximum `3 lakh or CONTINUED ON P5 citizenship and was thus staying both. A S I S H M E H TA @ Bhubaneswar TAKE A BOW! 101 38 RUNS 11(6s) & 7(4s) BALLS Feels great. It feels like a dream to score a century in the IPL — Vaibhav Suryavanshi, RR opener Only 14, Rajasthan Royals’ Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest to smash an IPL ton. He hit the second fastest 100 (35 balls) behind Chris Gayle (30) | SPORTZPICS | P11 India, France ink `63K cr deal for Rafale-M fighter jets M AYA N K S I N G H @ New Delhi CANADA VOTES TO DETERMINE ITS NEXT PM Canadians will decide whether to extend Mark Carney-led Liberal Party’s decade in power or hand control to the Conservatives, led by opposition leader Pierre Poilievre | P9 INDIA and France on Monday formally concluded the `63,000-crore ($7.4 billion) deal for 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets, in a move aimed at significantly enhancing the Indian Navy’s maritime combat capabilities. According to the contract, French military aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation will deliver 22 singleseater jets and four twin-seater trainers. “The agreement includes training, simulator, associated equipment, weapons and performance-based logistics. It also includes additional equipment for the existing Rafale fleet of the Indian Air Force,” the statement added. Defence Secy Rajesh Kumar Singh with other officials during the signing of an Inter-Governmental Agreement for the procurement of 26 Rafale aircraft | PIB VIA PTI Sources said the delivery of the first Rafale-M aircraft is expected to be delivered by May 2028 and the 26th aircraft by 2030, with the crew undergoing training in France and India. “There would be aircraft-specific inspections to check and validate Indian Navy specific enhancements,” they added. Rafale-M jets will operate from Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. The agreement includes transfer of technology for integration of indigenous weapons in India. It also includes setting up of a production facility for Rafale fuselage as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities for aircraft engines, sensors and weapons in India. The Indian Air Force already operates 36 Rafale combat jets. The new contract is for 26 naval variant of the Rafale combat jets. This newspaper had reported on April 9 that Cabinet Committee on Security had cleared the Rafale-M deal. Work for a responsible resolution:US J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi THE United States on Monday said it is closely monitoring rising tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and called upon the two neighbours to pursue a “responsible resolution” to the crisis. “The United States encourages all parties to work together towards a responsible resolution,” a State Department spokesperson said. The spokesperson reiterated that that Washington “stands with India and strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Pahalgam”, echoing recent remarks by President Donald Trump and Vice President J D Vance. Both leaders had expressed solidarity with New Delhi following the April 22 assault, which left 26 dead, with Trump describing it as a “bad one” and acknowledging the deep-rooted tensions over Kashmir. “This is an evolving situation and we are monitoring developments closely. We have been in touch with the governments of India and Pakistan at multiple levels,” a US State Department spokesperson told Reuters in an emailed statement. The statement said that the US administration is in touch with the governments of India and Pakistan at “multiple levels”. India may let China invest via JV route R A K E S H K U M A R @ New Delhi IN a move that could allow Chinese equipment manufacturers to operate in India, the Centre is considering permitting Chinese companies to invest under the Electronics Component Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme through joint ventures with Indian firms. According to industry sources, the government is mulling allowing Chinese companies to own up to 26% in JVs for specific critical electronics components, while maintaining a 10% equity cap for most other categories. In all cases, the management and control of the JV will remain with the Indian partner. Additionally, such JVs will need to secure approvals under the FDI norms. T h e l at e s t m ove comes after Chinese companies agreed to most of the terms and conditions, including the transfer of technology to India. India-China relations touched their lowest point in April 2020 after the Galwan clashes. Subsequently, India mandated that FDI from entities or individuals based in countries sharing land borders with India would need prior government approval. The government allowed Chinese firms to operate in India only through partnerships with Indian firms. The reason for allowing Chinese firms into India is China’s existing strength in component manufacturing infrastructure and scale. The government views Chinese investment as key to building a strong component ecosystem in India and raising value addition in smartphones and consumer electronics from the current 15–20% to 30–40%. India has been also accelerating visa clearances of Chinese technicians involved in PLI scheme and electronic manufacturing projects.