visakhapatnam l thursday l july 03, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late city EDITION Bangladesh court hands six-month jail term to EX-PM sHEIKH Hasina The International Crimes Tribunal, where Hasina is facing trial on charges of crimes against humanity, on Wednesday sentenced her in a contempt case First sentence since her exile in Aug 2024 Verdict based on leaked audio clip It marks the first time that 77-year-old Hasina has been sentenced in any case since she fled to India following a student-led uprising in August last year. The sentence, delivered in her absence, will come into effect from the day of her arrest or surrender before the court, chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam told reporters after the verdict was handed down protester Abu Sayeed, whose killing in Rangpur University escalated to a nationwide violent protest that eventually ousted her ■ The verdict came over a leaked audio clip in which Hasina is allegedy heard telling a party leader that she has “licence to kill” people ■ Hasina’s trial was opened on Monday over the murder of student Aug 8, 2024 When Muhammad Yunus-led interim govt was sworn in, in Bangladesh 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 Institution of Dalai Lama will go on China fumes as incumbent says the Gaden Phodrang Trust alone has the authority to recognise his reincarnation H a r p r e e t B a j w a & J aya n t h J a c o b @ Chandigarh/New Delhi In a landmark announcement just days ahead of his 90th birthday, the 14th Dalai Lama on Wednesday formally announced that the centuries-old institution of the Dalai Lama will continue after his death, ending years of speculation over the future of Tibetan Buddhism’s highest spiritual seat. The decision, however, drew sharp criticism from China, which insists it holds authority over any future reincarnation. “I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue,” the exiled Tibetan leader declared in a statement posted on social media and his official website. He emphasised that only his personal institution, the Gaden Phodrang Trust, has the authority to identify and recognise his reincarnation, warning that no outside entity, including governments, has any right to interfere in the sacred process. “I hereby reiterate that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has sole authority to recognise the future reincarnation; no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter.” The Chinese government bidding adieu IPS officer cites personal reasons for retirement Express News Service @ Vijayawada Senior IPS officer Siddharth Kaushal tendered his voluntary retirement from the police service on Wednesday cit, ing personal reasons. Amid speculation from some media outlets and social media groups suggesting that his decision was made under political pressure, Siddharth released a press release on Wednesday explaining the reasons behind his voluntary resignation. He bid farewell to his police career o f ove r 1 3 years in law enforcement across the state of Andhra Pradesh. “I have tendered my volSiddharth Kaushal untary resignation from the Indian Police Service, a decision made on purely personal grounds after deep personal reflection. It is a step taken in alignment with my long-term life goals and the wishes of my family members,” reads his statement. Denying the ongoing speculations in media and online social media platforms suggesting his resignation was due to harassment or external compulsion, Siddharth refuted and unequivocally stated that such claims are baseless P4 and misleading. Rijiju, two CMs to attend B’day event Union minister Kiren Rijiju, CMs Pema Khandu and Prem Singh Tamang and Karnataka minister Gangadharaia are expected to attend the 90th birthday celebrations of the Dalai Lama on July 6 at Dharamshala The Gaden Phodrang Trust has the sole authority to recognise the future reincarnation. No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter Gere arrives, U.S. may send diplomat Hollywood veteran Richard Gere is already in McLeodganj along with his son Homer James Jigme Gere. The US is likely to be represented by Bethany Poulos Morrison, Dy Assistant Secretary in the State Department condemned the announcement, reiterating its long-standing claim to control the selection of Tibetan spiritual leaders, a stance that triggered international criticism for politicising religion. “The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama, and other great Buddhist figures must be chosen by drawing lots from a golden urn and approved by the central government,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in Beijing. She cited — Dalai Lama Screengrab of the 14th Dalai Lama announcing the institution will continue | PTI a Qing dynasty-era method to justify Beijing’s authority over reincarnations. Mao said China permits religious freedom but within limits defined by the state. “The survival and development of any religion lies in adapting to the country’s social environment and cultural traditions,” she said, defending China’s efforts to align religious practices with its governance model. Beijing views the Dalai Lama as a separatist and continues to reject his spiritual and political influence, especially in regions like Tibet and parts of the Himalayan belt where devotion to him is deep-rooted. In contrast to China’s rebuke, the Dalai Lama’s reaffirmation was welcomed by Tibetan groups and Buddhist communities across Asia. The spiritual leader revealed that his decision following 14 years of consistent appeals from religious leaders, civil organisations, and Tibetan communi- ties inside and outside Tibet. “Leaders of Tibet’s spiritual traditions, members of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, participants in a Special General Body Meeting, members of the Central Tibetan Administration, NGOs, Buddhists from the Himalayan region, Mongolia, Buddhists of the Russian Federation, and Buddhists in Asia including mainland China, have written to me… earnestly requesting that the institution of the Dalai Lama continue,” he said. Importantly the Dalai Lama , noted that Tibetans inside China — despite state surveillance — had conveyed their support through informal channels. The Dalai Lama had first broached the question of his succession in 1969, stating that the future of his lineage should be decided by the Tibetan people. In 2011, he promised to revisit the issue around his 90th birthday With this week’s state. ment, that moment has come — and brought clarity . The Gaden Phodrang Trust will oversee the reincarnation search process, in consultation with the heads of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and spiritual protectors linked to the Dalai Lama’s lineage. Quad raps Pahalgam terrorist attack, but does not name Pak Express News Service @ New Delhi The foreign ministers of the Quad countries, India, the United States, Japan, and Australia, strongly condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which killed 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen. In a joint statement issued after their meeting in Washington, the ministers called for the “perpetrators, organisers, and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice without any delay .” While the statement urged all UN member states to cooperate under international law with efforts to investigate and prosecute those responsible, it notably stopped short of naming Pakistan, which India holds responsible for cross-border terrorism, including the Pahalgam attack. From India’s perspective, the explicit mention of the Pahalgam attack is significant. “We unequivocally condemn all acts of terrorism and violent extremism in all their Mineral supply chains The Quad Critical Minerals Initiative aims to strengthen economic security by collaborating on securing and diversifying critical mineral supply chains forms, including cross-border terrorism,” the statement read. Cross-border terror for India denotes the terrorism directed against it from Pakistan. Beyond terrorism, the joint statement highlighted concerns over security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. While avoiding direct reference to China, the ministers condemned the “dangerous and provocative actions” in the South and East China Seas. The ministers also announced the launch of the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, plans for the first Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network field training exercise, and the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership, which is slated to be inaugurated in Mumbai later this year. State sees sharp drop SBI flags Anil Ambani-led RCom loan as fraud in student enrolment B ENN K OCH U VEE D AN @ Mumbai K K a lya n K r i s h n a K u m a r @ Vijayawada With the 2025-26 academic year already underway, a sharp shortfall of 2,66,860 students in school and junior college enrolments across the state has raised alarm among education activists and parents’ associations. According to official data released on June 30, the total number of enrolled students from Class 1 to 12 stands at 76,02,854, compared to 78,69,714 last year, a significant decline spanning all types of educational institutions, including government, aided, and private. The gap is most visible in primary education, particularly in Class 1, which saw a steep fall from 6.87 lakh in 2024-25 to 5.60 lakh in the current year, a drop of 1.26 lakh. The trend indicates not only a demographic decline but also administrative lapses in timely enrolment. Though enrolment drives are still ongoing and the UDISE+ figures are yet to be finalised (expected by September 30), the magnitude of the decline in students’ enrolment this academic year has sparked serious concern. Activists are questioning whether children eligible for promotion have dropped out or are simply missing from the system due to documentation P4 or other issues.  Student Enrolment Comparison Table (2023-24 to 2025-26) Difference 2025-26 Class 2023-24 2024-25 (2024-25 to (as of June 30) 2025-26) Class 1 6,39,000 6,87,479 5,60,670 -1,26,809 Class 2 6,09,165 6,11,905 6,72,294 +60,389 Class 3 6,33,127 5,99,832 6,02,341 +2,509 Class 4 7,40,767 6,26,031 5,90,735 -35,296 Class 5 8,00,545 7,31,395 6,12,762 -1,18,633 Class 6 7,51,422 7,62,509 6,68,003 -94,506 Class 7 7,60,003 7,35,867 7,48,716 +12,849 Class 8 7,22,983 7,28,221 7,08,777 -19,444 Class 9 7,15,169 6,86,420 7,15,724 +29,304 Class X 7,22,814 6,59,688 6,84,236 +24,548 Class XI 4,82,147 5,60,379 4,97,271 -63,108 Class XII 5,31,264 4,79,988 5,41,325 +61,337 Total 81,08,406 78,69,714 76,02,854* -2,66,860 Note: 2025-26 enrolment data is still under progress and UDISE+ figures will be finalised by September 30, 2025 The country’s largest bank, State Bank of India, has classified the loan account of beleaguered Reliance Communications (RCom), under bankruptcy since June 2019, as a ‘fraud’ account, and reported the name of its erstwhile promoter and director Anil Ambani to the Reserve Bank of India. According to SBI, RCom used `12,692.31 crore, 41% of the total loan, to pay connected parties through a web of interg ro u p t r a n s a c t i o n s. T h e company owed `31,580 crore to banks, SBI said in its letter. In an exchange filing on express read Amarnath Yatra begins today amid tight security Srinagar: The 38-day annual Amarnath yatra to the cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas will commence Thursday, amid unprecedented security. The yatra, which will start from both the traditional Pahalgam route and the shortest Baltal route in central Kashmir from July 3, will conclude on August 9 | P8 HNSS lift irrigation proj nearing completion: CM Kuppam: CM N Chandrababu Naidu announced that the Handri Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS) lift-irrigation extension project, taken up at a cost of `3,890 crore, is now nearing completion. He assured that irrigation water will reach the last ayacut in Kuppam within this year | P4 Move flouted directions of Supreme Court, RBI: rcom RCom said it will seek legal, remedial measures, arguing that SBI did not properly hear its side of the story as required by the Supreme Court and did not follow RBI norms on classifying a loan account as fraud Wednesday, RCom confirmed receipt of the letter from SBI, dated June 23. The firm asserted its right to seek remedial and legal measures, arguing that the bank did not properly hear its case as required by the Supreme Court and did not follow RBI norms on classifying a loan account as fraud. In a March 28, 2023 order, the SC directed banks to provide borrowers with a personal hearing before classifying their loan accounts as fraudulent, citing the principles of natural justice. The court noted that classifying a loan account as fraud has severe implications for borrowers, including potential crimi- nal proceedings and restrictions on future borrowing. Following this, RBI issued revised guidelines to banks incorporating this ruling into its February 2016 guidelines. After SBI’s move, other banks with exposure to RCom are expected to follow suit. “We have taken cognizance of the responses to our showcause notice and... concluded that sufficient reasons have not been provided by the respondent to explain the non-adherence to the agreed terms and conditions of the loan documents,” SBI said in its June 25 letter, which RCom disclosed to exchanges on Wednesday . Don for 500% tariffs on Russia’s partners J AYANTH J ACO B @ New Delhi IN a development that could possibly reshape US foreign trade policy and geopolitical alliances, President Donald Trump has backed a Senate bill proposing a sweeping 500% tariff on countries keeping economic ties with Russia. The legislation, known as the Sanctioning Russia Act, aims to economically isolate Moscow by penalising third-party nations, including India and China, which continue to import vast quantities of Russian oil. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who introduced the bill earlier this year, confirmed Trump’s support during an interview on ABC News. “If you’re buying prodDonald Trump ucts from Russia and you’re not helping Ukraine, then there’s a 500 percent tariff on your products coming into the United States,” Graham said. “India and China buy 70% of Putin’s oil. They keep his war machine going.” If enacted into law, the proposed tariffs would directly hit India and China, the largest buyers of Russian crude. gill bill Shubman Gill scores a century against England in the second Test at Edgbaston on Wednesday | AFP | P11 first time in state IGZP uses artificial incubation to hatch exotic bird chicks U s h a P e r i @ Visakhapatnam Peafowl hatched out in the artificial incubator at IGZP in Visakhapatnam | Express In a first for any zoological park in Andhra Pradesh, the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) in Visakhapatnam has successfully hatched 27 bird chicks through artificial incubation, while seven others were hatched naturally . The chicks belong to five bird species, including Blue Gold Macaw, Lutino Parakeet, PeachFaced Lovebird, Red Junglefowl, and Indian Peafowl. The zoo’s veterinary team, including one senior veterinarian, one conservation biologist, and two paravets and animal keepers, carried out the work. Among the 34 chicks, three Lutino Parakeets and four Peach-Faced Lovebirds were naturally hatched by their par- ent birds. The parent birds took turns incubating eggs, keeping them warm until they hatched. The remaining chicks, consisting of two Blue Gold Macaws, 13 Red Junglefowl, and 12 Indian Peafowl, were hatched using artificial incubation. “For the Red Junglefowl and Peafowl, the eggs were incubated at 38°C for 21 and 28 days, respectively, with humidity be- tween 65% and 70%. After hatching, the chicks were moved to a brooder kept at 35°C and 50% to 60% humidity These . chicks are called ‘precocial’ because they can move around and feed themselves soon after hatching,” said Dr P Bhanu, senior veterinarian at IGZP . He further elaborated, “The two Blue-and-Gold Macaw chicks were incubated at 37.5°C for 28 days with a humidity of 45% to 54%. Once hatched, the chicks were placed in a brooder with a temperature of around 37.5°C, which is slowly reduced as they grow. The chicks were born blind and weighed around 20 grams. They are being handfed every two hours with a special formula that includes digestive enzymes, prebiotics, P4 and other nutrients.”