vijayawada l thursday l august 21, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 14 l late city EDITION Israel to mobiliZe reservists for expanded Gaza operation Israel’s plan includes calling up 60,000 reservists and extending the service of an additional 20,000 currently serving in Gaza Strip Humanitarian crisis could get worse This comes as negotiators scramble to bring Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire ending 22 months of fighting, while international leaders and rights groups warn that an expanded assault, which Israel wants, could deepen Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, with most residents displaced, neighborhoods in ruins, and communities facing the threat of famine ■ 62K israel eyes ‘militant groups’ in hamas ■ Although Israel has killed much of Hamas’ senior leadership, parts of the militant group are actively regrouping and carrying out attacks, including launching rockets towards Israel, an official said | P11 It remains unclear when the Gaza operation will begin, but it could be a matter of days as such a mobilization is largest in months more than 62,000 Palestinians killed by Israel in two 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 Delhi CM Rekha attacked during public hearing, 1 held N i t in R a w at & Di l ip S ing h Ks h at ri ya @ New Delhi/Ahmedabad Opposition members protest in the Well of the Lok Sabha during the Monsoon session of Parliament on Wednesday | PTI Now, people will have to decide whether it is right for a minister, CM or PM to run govt while in jail We are going back to medieval times when the king could just remove anybody at his will This is a Black Bill. I strongly condemn this Bill, which strikes at the very root of democracy This draconian step comes as a death knell for democracy and federalism in India This bill is unconstitutional… Who will arrest PM? BJP wants to make our country a police state Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader M K Stalin, Tamil Nadu CM Mamata Banerjee, Bengal CM Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM chief Acrimonious scenes in Lok Sabha as govt introduces 3 contentious bills Bills to sack PM, CMs, ministers sent to JPC P R E E THA N A I R @ New Delhi The Lok Sabha on Wednesday witnessed unruly scenes as Home Minister Amit Shah introduced three Bills for the removal of prime minister, chief ministers, and ministers under arrest for 30 consecutive days on serious charges. The Bills—the Constitution (One Hundred And Thirtieth Amendment) Bill 2025, Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill 2025; and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill 2025—propose that if a PM, CM, or a Union minister is held in custody for 30 consecutive days for offences carrying a jail term of five years, they will lose their jobs on the 31st day . The Bills have been sent to a Joint Committee of Parliament comprising 21 members from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha for scrutiny . The constitutional amendment bill will need the support of at least two-thirds of the members in both Houses. The ruling alliance currently lacks such a majority on its own. The introduction of the Bill after 2 pm led to unprecedented scenes as members of TMC and express read AP gets `432.19 crore boost for education Vijayawada: The Union government has approved an additional `432.19 crore under Samagra Shiksha, recognizing Minister Nara Lokesh’s proactive efforts | P3 Free Bus on all ghat roads except Tirumala Vijayawada: Minister Ramprasad Reddy clarified that the free travel for women is applicable on all ghat roads in the state, except Tirumala, citing concerns over passengers afety and security | P4 Top court Questions powers of governors If a governor has the power to permanently withhold assent to the Bills passed by State legislature, it could leave the elected govt at the whims and fancies of an unelected person, SC said while hearing Presidential reference case | P9 BJP nearly came to blows. When Speaker Om Birla allowed Opposition MPs to speak, Trinamool members charged into the Well, shouting slogans and some even tore copies of the draft law in front of Shah. Several MPs including Congress’s K C Venugopal, Manish Tewari, AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi and RSP’s N K Premachandran spoke against the bills, saying they violated constitutional principles, targeted federalism, and carried the risk of misuse. Shah defended the bills, saying: “We can’t be so shameless to occupy constitutional positions while facing serious charges.” The House plunged into chaos when a TMC MP moved towards Shah’s chair, and a few BJP members including Union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Ravneet Singh Bittu rushed to shield Shah. Three House marshals formed a protective ring. Amid the ruckus, Shah moved the motion by voice vote to send the bills to a joint committee. The panel, whose members will soon be named, has been asked to submit its report to the House by the last day of the first week of the next session. Shah-KC war of words Congress MP K C Venugopal referred to Amit Shah’s arrest when he was a Gujarat minister in 2010, Shah hit back saying he had quit before the arrest to uphold moral values Poll-bound Assam to get IIM The country’s 22nd Indian Institute of Management will come up in Guwahati with a central outlay of `555 crore, as both Houses of Parliament cleared the bill. Assam goes to polls next year LS passes bill banning online money games R AK E S H K U MA R @ New Delhi The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which aims to ban online games played with money The government says the move is to . tackle gaming addiction, money laundering, and financial fraud linked to such platforms. The Bill says no individual, company or plat, form can offer, promote, or facilitate online money games in India. It also bans advertisements for such games on TV social media, or any dig, ital platform and prohibits banks and payment firms from processing such transactions. Sources said online money gaming is very addictive, leading to social harm and also financial loss. An official said 45 crore players lost money , with an estimated `26,000 crore loss annually . The Bill proposes the creation of a central authority that will issue guidelines and directions, which all gaming platforms must follow. Online money games as those where users deposit money in the hope of winning cash or other rewards. It covers all forms of online betting, including fantasy sports, card games like poker and rummy and online lotteries. , The Bill was passed by a voice vote after brief comments from Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, even as opposition members staged protests. Once cleared by both Houses of Parliament, offering or facilitating online money gaming will become a punishable offence, with jail terms of up to three years and fines of up to `1 crore. Advertising such games could attract two years in prison or `50 lakh fine. Those processing payment for these games also face up to three years’ imprisonment or a fine of `1 crore. IN a glaring breach of security Delhi Chief Minister Rekha , Gupta was attacked during a public hearing at her residence on Wednesday morning. The attacker, Rajesh Khimjibhai Sakaria, from Rajkot in Gujarat, was arrested on the spot and is being jointly interrogated by IB and Delhi Police’s Special Cell. Police have registered an FIR under attempt to murder charges in connection with the attack. Sakaria has also been booked for allegedly assaulting and obstructing public servant from discharging his duty . Sakaria reportedly became upset over Delhi’s civic drive to capture stray dogs. Eyewitnesses described a commotion as Sakaria approached Gupta with what appeared to be court documents. Af- Attacker’s mother seeks forgiveness Rajesh Sakaria’s mother said her son is not part of any political group but just loses self control when it comes to animals. She sought forgiveness ter handing them over, he allegedly grabbed her by the hair and slapped her, hurling expletives before security personnel intervened. Gupta was taken to a hospital after she sustained minor injuries. DCP Jagdish Bangarva said Sakaria was booked in five cases between 2017 and 2024, including assault, criminal intimidation, and liquor-related charges, but was acquitted in four. CM launches Ratan Tata Innovation Hub E xpress N ews S ervice @ Vijayawada CM Naidu with N. Chandrasekaran during inauguration of RTIH at Mangalagiri | EXPRESS APIS sets Guinness Record The Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society secured a Guinness Record with 1,67,321 innovations and business startup registations within 24 hours. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub at Mayuri Tech Park in Mangalagiri, marking a significant step toward transforming the state into a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. The facility established in collaboration , with Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, is designed to nurture young entrepreneurs and startups by providing mentorship, resources, and a suppor tive ecosystem. Naidu announced that the hub will operate on a “hub and spoke” model, with the main center in Amaravati and satellite facilities in five other locations: Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Anantapur, and presumably one more location. He further revealed plans to extend innovation centers to all 175 assembly constituencies in the state to encourage creative ideas from the youth. The inauguration coincided with a remarkable achievement; the Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society secured a Guinness World Record for registering 1,67,321 innovations and business startups within just P4 24 hours.  crude import Will protect India from any U.S. sanctions: Russia j aya n t h j a c o b @ New Delhi AMID rising tensions between New Delhi and Washington over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, Moscow has put in place a “special mechanism” to protect its energy ties with India from possible US sanctions, Russian Charge d’Affaires Roman Babushkin said on Wednesday . Babushkin defended India’s right to energy security call, ing Western pressure “unjustified” and “neo-colonial.” His remarks come days after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reiterated the US’s possible secondary tariffs on India, adding to the 25% duties already in effect. The Russian diplomat stressed that the Russia-India strategic partnership has grown rapidly across key sectors, particularly defense and energy and asserted Mos, cow’s role as a “partner of choice” for New Delhi’s military requirements. He said both nations are committed to expanding trade volumes to $100 billion by 2030 and that InRoman Babushkin dia’s increasing energy needs make the Russian oil partnership indispensable. “Russia is the largest supplier of crude oil to India. If India were to bow to external pressure and stop this procurement, it wouldn’t result in any meaningful cooperation with the West,” Babushkin said. “On the contrary the sanctions , are hurting those who are imposing them.” When asked about the potential discount India might get, he said “a five per cent swing is possible subject to negotiation.” India has justified its imports of Russian oil on strategic and economic grounds. Babushkin said, “Our special mechanism is in place to navigate sanctions-related disruptions,” he said. The Polavaram Project discharged floodwaters at 9 lakh cusecs on Wednesday evening | Express Godavari Flood fury: Heavy inflows threaten low lying areas, villages cut off E xpress N ews S ervice @ Rajamahendravaram/Amalapuram The Godavari delta and Polavaram backwater regions have been placed on high alert due to heavy inflows into the River Godavari, threatening inundation in low-lying areas of Eluru, ASR, Konaseema, and East and West Godavari districts. The second warning is likely to be issued at Bhadrachalam on Thursday morning, as the water level has is expected to reach 48 feet, following the first warning issued at 8 am on PWD Minister Parvesh Verma said that the chief minister has sustained injuries to her hand, shoulder and head. A senior police official, who is privy to the probe, said that it was a serious attack, adding that it could have been life threatening. Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra said, “Such an attack on anyone, that too on a woman chief minister, who is dedicated to public work round the clock, was unheard of in Delhi.” Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said that CM Gupta is “shaken”, but is doing fine. Police sources said that the Ministry of Home Affairs is likely to review the security arrangements of CM Gupta after a report of the incident is submitted by the police. CM Gupta was accorded ‘Z’ category security by Delhi Police. Former Delhi chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi condemned the attack on Gupta. Wednesday when it reached 43 feet. Eluru District Collector Vetri Selvi directed residents of lowlying areas in Velerupadu and Kukkunuru to evacuate immediately and shift to rehabilitation camps. Superintendent of Police (SP) K Pratap Siva Kishore accompanied the Collector on a whirlwind tour of flood-prone areas, including Peddawagu, Yedduwagu, Yadapalli, Katkuru, Bollapalli, and Chittamreddypalem, urging people to move to relief centers. The Polavaram Project and Dowleswaram Barrage discharged floodwaters at 9 lakh cusecs on Wednesday evening. According to Superintending Engineer (SE) S Gopinath, the water level at Dowleswaram rose to 10.8 feet. The Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage flood control room reported that the first warning will be issued once the water level reaches 11.75 feet and discharge exceeds 10 lakh cusecs, with a second warning at 13.75 feet and 13 lakh cusecs, expected on P4 August 21.  6 children, all students pursuing class V, drowned in a water tank in Apsari mandal of Kurnool district | Express Six school children drown in water pond EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Kurnool In a tragic incident, six schoolchildren drowned in a water pond at Chigiri village in Aspari mandal, Kurnool district, on Wednesday evening, plunging the entire village into grief and shock. The victims were identified as Beemesh, Vinay, Mahabub Basha, Sai Kiran, Seshi Kumar, and Kinnera Sai, all fifth-class students at the local government school in Chigiri village. According to police, after school hours, the children went to the pond near the ZP High School on the village outskirts to swim. Sadly, they slipped into the deeper section of the pond and were unable to come out. Hearing their cries, a shepherd rushed to the spot but failed to save them as they were already in deep water. Despite the villagers’ efforts to rescue them, it was too late, and the children lost their lives. The incident sent the village into mourning. Parents, relatives, and villagers wept inconsolably as the lifeless bodies of the young boys were pulled out of the water. As the sun set over Chigiri village, the once cheerful atmosphere turned somber, with the cries of grieving parents echoing through the streets. Upon receiving information, Alur MLA Veerupakshi, RDO Bharath Naik, and CI Gangadhar rushed to the spot, supervised rescue efforts, and assured immediate support for the families. Police registered a case and began investigating the circumstances that led to the tragedy. The RDO said precautionary measures would be explored to prevent such incidents in the future. Meanwhile, condolences poured in from across the P4 state.