shivamogga l friday l october 03, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l city EDITION Israel intercepts Gaza flotilla carrying many global activists Israeli naval forces on Thursday intercepted and boarded vessels in a flotilla attempting to break its blockade of Gaza, detained top activists global sumud flotilla largest ever The Global Sumud Flotilla was the largest yet to try to break the blockade, and it comes at a time of growing criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, where its offensive has killed tens of thousands of people. Activists said they hoped the sheer number of boats would make it difficult for Israel to intercept them all, but Israel declared the operation over on Thursday ■ 450 backers take out rallies against israel ■ Supporters of the flotilla took to streets in several cities across the globe, including Rome, Istanbul, Athens, Greece, and Buenos Aires in Argentina after the news of the interception broke Organisers of the flotilla said 39 of their boats were intercepted or assumed to be intercepted in a nightlong Israeli operation | P9 activists on 39 boats were carrying aid to gaza 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 ‘Bribe’ row drives probe on Customs siddharth prabhakar & d i pa k m o n d a l @ Chennai/ New Delhi BRIBERY allegations levelled against Chennai Customs by a Tamil Nadu-based company importing electronic goods, including sex toys, from China raised a massive storm on social media culminating in the Union Ministry of Finance announcing a “detailed factual enquiry” on Thursday . The ministry has directed the Department of Revenue to conduct a ‘fair and transparent investigation’, deputing a senior officer to examine all evidence and hear all parties in- Kharge stable after pacemaker procedure E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Bengaluru AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge underwent a pacemaker implantation procedure at a private hospital in Bengaluru on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Kharge and inquired about his health, and wished him a speedy recovery on his ‘X’ handle. “Praying for his continued well-being and long life,” he said. Kharge’s son, Karnataka’s Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge said the pacemaker procedure was succ e s s f u l l y completed. “It was a short and Mallikarjun mino r proceKharge dure and he has been stable after the procedure,” he tweeted. According to Priyank, Mallikarjun Kharge is expected to resume work from October 3 and attend all his scheduled engagements. “Our gratitude for the concern, support and affection extended by all,” he added. Mallikarjun Kharge also posted on ‘X’: “My sincere thanks to Congress cadres, leaders and supporters for the outpouring of wishes. My deepest gratitude. I intend to start my work schedule soon.” The 83-year-old Congress leader was admitted to MS Ramaiah Hospital on Tuesday after he felt discomfor t in breathing. express read 2 dead after synagogue attack in the UK London: Two people were killed and three others wounded on Thursday in a synagogue attack in Manchester on the holiest day of the Jewish year, police said. The suspect is also believed to be dead after being shot by officers. volved in the matter at the earliest. The controversy erupted after Wintrack Inc announced on X on Wednesday night that it would cease its import-export operations in India from October 1, citing “relentless harassment” and retaliation by Chennai Customs officials after it alleg- edly exposed bribery demands. “After exposing their bribery practices twice this year, they retaliated, effectively crippling our operations and destroying our business in India. We deeply thank everyone who has supported us during these difficult times,” said the company on X. Wintrack’s social media post went Wintrack Inc bypassed compliance norms: Customs The Customs department has alleged that Wintrack attempted to bypass compliance requirements by routing similar shipments through a related entity and accused the importer of trying to intimidate senior officers during adjudication proceedings Govt-society disconnect led to unrest in Nepal: RSS chief RA J E SH K U M AR THA K U R @ New Delhi Expressing serious concern over the recent unrest in India’s neighbourhood, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday linked the turbulence to the disconnect between governments and societies, as well as the lack of capable and peopleoriented administrators there. In his annual Vijayadashami address in Nagpur, Bhagwat cautioned that some forces, both internal and external, are attempting to create similar disturbances within Bharat. “The regime change in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and more recently Nepal due to violent outburst of public anger is a concern for us,” he said. The natural and immediate cause of such disturbances is discontent between the government and the society and the lack of able and people-oriented administrators. However, violent outbursts do not have the power to bring about the desirable change.” Only democ- Former President Ram Nath Kovind (R) with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat ahead of the latter’s Vijayadashami address in Nagpur on Thursday | PTI racy can bring lasting change, he added. Issuing a call for mutual respect and harmony while rejecting violence, Bhagwat said, “all communities, including those who adopted foreign religions, are part of the larger Indian identity.” Condemning hooliganism and attempts to provoke communal divisions, he said law enforcement authorities should act impartially against all such elements. Commenting on the US-imposed tariffs, Bhagwat said the US policy, based solely on self- interest, does not pose a challenge for India. “The world operates through mutual interdependence. By becoming atmanirbhar (self-reliant), and being cognizant of global unity , we must ensure that this global interdependence does not become a compulsion for us, and we are able to act according to our own will. There is no substitute for Swadeshi and Swavalamban,” he asserted. Bhagwat also raised concerns about global conflicts and increasing climate imbalance. Rajnath Singh applying the ‘tilak’ on Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi in Bhuj | PTI India warns Pak over any buildup in Sir Creek area Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says any misadventure will invite decisive response Creek.” The Creek is a 98 km long narrow strip of disputed IN a stern warning to Pakistan, water between the two counDefence Minister Rajnath tries in the marshy areas of Singh on Thursday said any Rann of Kutch and opens up misadventure by Islamabad in into the Arabian Sea. the Sir Creek sector will invite The area has inhospitable a “decisive response”. weather and terrain, while the Singh’s remarks from a mili- marshes are home to poisontary base near the India-Paki- ous snakes and scorpions. stan border in Bhuj in Gujarat There are continuing discame against the backdrop of putes in this area and have the Pakistan expandbeen reported by this ing military infrapaper in the past. structure in the disputAfter performing a ed region. puja at the Bhuj Mili“Even after 78 years If Pakistan dares tary Station on the ocof Independence, Pakicasion of Vijayadashato act in Sir stan continues to cremi, Singh lauded the Creek, the reply ate disputes over the will be so strong armed forces for sucit will change Sir Creek Sector, decessfully thwarting Paspite India’s repeated both the history kistan’s attempts to and geography efforts to resolve the isbreach India’s defence sue through dialogue.” network during OperaRajnath Singh He pointed out that Pation Sindoor. kistan’s recent expan“Pakistan had tried sion of military infrastructure to penetrate India’s defences in the Sir Creek Sector reflects from Leh to Sir Creek Sector, its ill intent. but the swift and effective coun“If Pakistan dares to act in ter-action of the Indian forces Sir Creek Sector, the reply will during Operation Sindoor not be so strong that it will change only exposed the weaknesses both history and geography In of Pakistan’s air defence sys. 1965, the Indian Army showed tem but also sent out a clear courage by reaching Lahore message to the world that India and in 2025 Pakistan must re- can inflict heavy damage at a member that the road to Kara- time, place and manner of its chi also passes through the choosing,” Singh said. m aya nk s i n g h @ New Delhi fuelling welfare `3,705-crore tax devolution for Karnataka Cough syrup E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ B e n g a l u r u In an early payout of tax devolution funds that would help Karnataka, the Union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has released an advance tax devolution of Rs 3,705 crore to the state as part of the Rs 1,01,603 crore tax devolution package for all states. Announced on the day of Ayudha Puja, this Dasara festive season amount aims to fuel capital spending and welfare initiatives. The funds, disbursed nine days ahead of the usual October 10 devolution, will empower the state to accelerate development projects and welfare measures. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, MP from Karnataka, posted, ‘’Karnataka’s share is set to drive economic momentum and uplift communities statewide. The Central government, under the leadership of Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji, has released an advance tax devolution of `1,01,603 crore to States, of which Karnataka will receive `3,705 crore.’’ Naxal killed in clash with forces in C’garh 5+ years on, direct China air link from October 26 J aya n t h J a c o b a n d S L a l i t h a @ New Delhi India and China have agreed to resume direct commercial flights by this month-end, marking yet another notable step toward normalising bilateral ties that have remained strained since the 2020 border standoff. The announcement comes after months of technical-level discussions between the civil aviation authorities on both sides, part of the Indian government’s broader approach toward the gradual normalisation of bilateral relations. IndiGo was first off the blocks, announcing the launch its daily air service on October 26 from Delhi and Kolkata to Guangzhou in South China. Air India, which operated the last flight to China in February 2020, will resume operations on the Delhi-Shanghai sector before this year-end. IndiGo is targeting the trading section that purchases products from China for sale in India with its connectivity to Guangzhou while Air India’s focus will be on the business community and students, a source said. “Subject to regulatory approvals, IndiGo will also introduce direct flights between Delhi and Guangzhou shortly ,” IndiGo said in a statement. IndiGo will use its Airbus A320 neo aircraft for operations. “IndiGo operated flights between India and China before the pandemic and has many of the necessary arrangements and processes already in place. The past experience and familiarity with local partner will enable IndiGo to resume these flights swiftly the state,” ment said. As for Air India, sources said the Delhi-Shanghai flight will be a daily service and most probably a Boeing-787. “We are looking at five days a week. Regulatory approvals are coming through.” IndiGo tickets for Kolkata -Guangzhou will be available for sale from Friday (Oct 3) on its website and the airline’s mobile application. Pilots asked to join meet on AI 171 crash march of majesty Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and other dignitaries offer flowers to Goddess Chamundeshwari during the Jamboo Savari on the occasion of Vijayadashami in Mysuru on Thursday | udayashankar s The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, which is working on its final report on the AI 171 crash at Ahmedabad, has asked the Airline Pilots’ Association of India to attend a consultation meet at DGCA HQ in Delhi on Friday lost waters Almatti lost 7.556 tmcft of capacity owing to silt, says study Bijapur: One Naxalite was killed in an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Thursday, a police official said. The gun battle broke out at around 11 am in Gangaloor police station area. Firoz Rozindar @ Vijayapura LBA confirms member’s suicide in Ladakh Leh: A general council member of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), who was a supporter of jailed activist Sonam Wangchuk, has hanged himself at his house, its president Chering Dorjay Lakruk said on Thursday | P8 viral, with several individuals coming forward with their harrowing Customs story . In a rebuttal late Wednesday , Chennai Customs dismissed the allegations as “serious and false,” accusing the importer of misclassification of goods, concealment of undeclared items, and non-compliance with mandatory environmental and regulatory requirements. Officials said physical examination revealed undeclared USB charging cables and the absence of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) certification under the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022. P6 2 Indigo flights The Almatti reservoir in Vijayapura district | express THE Almatti reservoir, one of the largest dams in Karnataka with a designed storage capacity of 123.081 tmcft, has lost 7.556 tmcft of capacity owing to silt deposit over the past two decades. The current water storage capacity now stands at 115.552 tmcft, according to a study conducted by the Karnataka Engineering Research Centre (KERS) in 2023. The final report of the back- water silt study which covered , several reservoirs in Karnataka, including Almatti, has been submitted to the State Government as well as to the chief engineers of the respective reservoirs. The findings highlight the gradual decline in water storage due to silt accumulation since the Almatti reservoir became operational in 2001. KERS Director KG Mahesh, based at Krishnarajasagar, Mandya district, said that the survey was carried out over three months, covering 487 sqkm from the backwaters of the Almatti reservoir to the Hipparagi reservoir. “An advanced echosound system installed in boats was used for the study. Sound waves were released into the water and the returning echoes were captured to measure depth. Based on this data, specialised software calculated the silt content. The analysis was completely scientific, and a compre- hensive report has been submitted to the government,” Mahesh explained. The report notes that in the 22 years since its commissioning, Almatti has accumulated 7.556 tmcft of silt. However, officials from the Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam Limited (KBJNL) clarified that despite the reduction in capacity there will be no , shortage of water for irrigation or drinking purposes in the command areas. The study also compared siltation levels across major reservoirs in Kar nataka. The Narayanpur reservoir, which was surveyed in 2022, has recorded the highest silt deposition in the state. The study revealed that Narayanpur has accumulated 10.550 tmcft of silt, resulting in a loss of 27.292 tcmft of water storage capacity . Tungabhadra reservoir ranks second in terms of storage loss due to siltation.