KOCHI l thursday l august 21, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 16 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 israel eyes ‘militant groups’ in hamas 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 ■ ■ 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 | P9 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 62K 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 i n R a w at & D i l i p S i ngh K s h at r i 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 PR E E T H A N AIR @ 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 Kerala set to digitise citizens’ documents T’Puram: Kerala is all set to take a major leap in governance innovation by launching Digi Kerala 2.0. On Thursday, the state will unveil DEED (Digitalisation of Every Essential Document) aimed at digitising citizens’ records by integrating them with DigiLocker, the Government of India’s flagship e-document service. P5 Human-wildlife conflict: Norms overhaul proposed T’Puram: Pitching for a comprehensive overhaul of existing norms, Kerala has brought out a draft policy to address human-wildlife conflicts. It puts forth proposals that push for drastic reforms in the Wildlife Protection Act, to facilitate quicker response to wildlife presence in human habitats. P5 Amit Shah to monitor local poll strategy Kochi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is set to visit Kerala on Friday, will review BJP’s preparations for local polls. He will address a gathering of core committee members, state office-bearers, state presidents of Morchas, regional organising secretaries, and other leaders in Kochi. P4 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 D555 crore, as both Houses of Parliament cleared the bill. Assam goes to polls next year LS passes bill banning online money games RA K E S H K U M AR @ 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. crude import Top court Will protect Questions powers India from any U.S. of governors sanctions: Russia j aya nth 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. If a governor has the power to permanently withhold assent to Bills passed by state legislature, it could leave elected govt at whims and fancies of an unelected person, SC said | P7 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. Congress in grassroot drive to add sure-shot party voters to poll roll There is multiple-level scrutiny to check for double votes. In the wake of Rahul Gan- We also keep a strict vigil on dhi’s campaign against ‘vote any attempts by our political theft’, the Congress in Kerala opponents to add voters with has launched an exhaustive a house rent contract or house grassroots-level intervention number,” he said. The ward committees are to update voters’ lists — to ensure that its presumptive entrusted with the first level backers get a chance to cast of verification. It has been detheir ballot — ahead of the lo- cided that besides Congress ward president, promical body elections. nent leaders from each In line with the high segment —even if it is command’s instrucstate party chief or tions, the state leadleader of opposition ership has set up mul—should be present tiple-level scrutiny to for verification. prevent any kind of Then local par ty lapses, party sources workers visit each said. L e a r n i n g f ro m house to verify the This time we are past experiences names. They will also examining the when the party had take stock of party political to pay dearly for its supporters who have background of lackadaisical attibeen left behind. each voter we AICC general sectude, the Congress intend to add. has reportedly added There is multiple- retary K C Venugopal is personally monihundreds of new votlevel scrutiny to toring the exercise. ers. In sharp contrast check for double A KPCC leader said from the past, party votes the party has added a leaders at the booth B S Vinod, Congress minimum of 100 new level have been isOachira block prez voters in each ward. sued strict instruc“We also ensure that tions to add only sure-shot voters of the Con- applications are submitted and voters are present at the gress and its UDF allies. “Earlier we used to add vot- hearing. For this, the party ers without considering their has distributed forms to each political affinity,” Congress ward committee, which will Oachira block president B S enter details of new voters Vinod told TNIE. “However, and submit them to mandalam this time we are examining committee for review. They have to submit a new list evethe political background of each voter we intend to add. ry two days,” he said. More on P4 K S SR E E J I T H @T’Puram 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. 1 more amoebic infection case in state; 11-year-old girl critical E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @Kozhikode The state has reported a fresh case of amoebic meningoencephalitis, commonly called amoebic brain fever, raising serious public health concerns. An 11-year-old girl from Chenakkalangadi, Malappuram, has been diagnosed with the rare disease and is undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. Her condition is said to be critical. The girl was admitted on Tuesday after developing fever and related symptoms. Laboratory tests later confirmed the infection. Health officials have launched urgent measures to find the source of infection, believed to be linked to contaminated water. Following the confirmation, authorities have prohibited people from entering a public pond near the girl’s house, suspected to be a potential source. Local bodies have been directed to chlorinate nearby water sources as a precaution. With this, the total number of patients currently under treatment for amoebic brain fever at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital has increased to six, including a 3-month-old infant from Omassery who re, mains in critical condition on ventilator support.  ● More on P4 16 pages, including 4 pages of kOCHI Express football tourney Visa okayed: Girls with cerebral palsy to play in UK M S V i d ya n a n d a n @ T’Puram After several days of anxious wait, five girls with cerebral palsy from Kerala are now a relieved lot. Their visas have finally been approved and they can now travel to the UK to participate in an international football tournament. The girls constitute the fivemember team representing India in the intercontinental football tournament for children with cerebral palsy Organised . by the International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football (IFCPF), the tourney began in Loughborough on Monday . Indian team members with their coach Having undergone a rigorous Their parents too stayed at the one-month coaching camp in camp organised by the CereAlappuzha, the girls bral Palsy Sports were in distress owFederation of India press ing to the delay in isimpact (CPSFI). Following suance of UK visas. a report published in TNIE on August 15 highlighting the plight of the children, the Chief Minister’s Office intervened and took up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs and the UK Embassy in India. “We are thankful to the chief minister’s chief principal secretary K M Abraham who contacted us after seeing the news report. He and S Harikishore, NORKA secretary and officer on special duty at the CMO, who liasoned with the MEA and embassy gave us real-time , updates on each step,” said R Girija Kumari, the team’s ● More on P4 coach.