FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. XLI No. 323 | INDORE | THURSDAY | MAY 1, 2025 | Pages 14 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 www.freepressjournal.in Sports From Borivali to Bharat’s beating heart ROHIT@38 P.13 fp Briefs JAMSHEDPUR Jamshedpur girl tops ICSE Shambhavi Jaiswal, a student of Loyola School, Jamshedpur, has made the city proud by securing a perfect 100 per cent in the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) Class 10 examinations, emerging as the all-India topper. Girls outshone boys yet again. In the class 10 exams, the pass percentage of girls stood at 99.45 per cent while that of boys was marginally lower at 98.64 per cent. Similarly, girls performed better than boys in class 12 too, with girls' pass percentage at 99.45 per cent and boys' pass percentage at 98.64 per cent. NEW DELHI Rajnath to attend Victory Day parade Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will represent India at Russia's Victory Day parade on May 9 that will mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Germany in the Second World War, official sources said on Wednesday. Russia invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the grand parade to be held in Moscow but India conveyed to Russia that Singh will attend it. "An invitation was extended to the prime minister to attend the Victory Day Parade at Moscow. The Russian side was informed earlier that India would be represented by Defence Minister Singh," said a source. CHANDIGARH 5 operatives of BKI arrested Punjab Police on Wednesday claimed to have thwarted a potential grenade attack at a police establishment with the arrest of five members of Pakistan's ISI-backed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module, which allegedly had links with foreignbased gangster Jiwan Fauji. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said those arrested have been identified as Naresh Kumar alias Babbu of Haripura, Abhinav Bhagat alias Abhi, Ajay Kumar alias Ajju and Sunny Kumar, all residents of Haripura in Amritsar and a 17-year-old juvenile. Police teams also recovered a hand ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE MONEY Restaurant sector has potential to offer 1.5 cr jobs by 2028:NRAI UJJAIN PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK Cinema Triptii’s style diaries P.12 CASTE SURVEY TO BE PART OF CENSUS NEW DELHI The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs on Wednesday decided to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census, thereby meeting a demand which was being vociferously raised by some of the Opposition parties, including the Congress. Conveying the decision of the Cabinet in the matter, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said it demonstrates that the Narendra Modi-led government is committed to the holistic interests and values of the nation and society. The Cabinet note said as per Article 246 of the Constitution of India, Census is a union subject listed at 69 in the Union List in the Seventh Schedule. While some states have conducted surveys to enumerate castes, these surveys have var- Historic decision: Yadav BHOPAL: Chief Minister Mohan Yadav welcomed the decision to include caste survey in the upcoming census. Yadav said that for decades many parties opposed caste census. He said caste census will not be just statistics, but will become the harbinger of change in the lives of the poor, backward, weak and deprived citizens of the country. This unprecedented decision will definitely pave the way for social harmony, equality and cordiality in the new India, he added. ied in transparency and intent, with some conducted purely from a political angle, creating doubts in society. Therefore, it elaborated, the Centre considered all these circumstances and decided to ensure that the social fabric A seven-month-old female tiger cub was found dead in the Bison beat area of the Karmajhiri range of Madhya Pradesh's Pench Tiger Reserve, officials said. The cub was found unconscious by the elephant patrol team of the reserve, accompanied by her fiercely protective mother, on Sunday and succumbed on Monday Agencies NEW DELHI does not come under political pressure. As such, the Cabinet decided that caste enumeration should be included in the main census instead of being conducted as a separate survey. The Cabinet said this decision will ensure that the society becomes stronger both economically and socially and that the country’s progress continues without hindrance. The government also said that when a provision of 10 percent reservation was made for the economically weaker sections of society, it was revealed that it did not create any tension in the society. For the record, the Cabinet also recalled that caste was excluded from all census operations conducted since Independence. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 KEY ACCUSED SAHIL TRAFFICKED VICTIMS FOR CASH Digital access a right: SC Our Staff Reporter NEW DELHI Top court directs changes in KYC guidelines for disabled PTI BHOPAL Police probing the rape and blackmail racket have uncovered chilling details about Sahil Khan, one of the key accused. Sahil, a native of Panna district who ran a dance class in the Ashoka Garden area, not only raped and blackmailed many girls but also trafficked some of them to other men for money, officials said. Sahil was arrested from Panna, and obscene videos of several girls were recovered from his mobile phone. Investigators said he targeted girls enrolled in his dance class, raped them, filmed the assaults, and used the videos to blackmail them into silence. Later, he sent some victims to RAPE, BLACKMAIL RACKET Restaurant sealed Police on Wednesday sealed a restaurant where the accused used to come with the victims. The restaurant is close to the private college in Bag Sewania area where the accused and the victims studied. Investigations revealed that the accused sexually exploited the victims at the restaurant. Police is questioning the restaurant owners and is scanning the CCTV footages to get more clues other men in return for cash — though the victims were unaware they were being exploited for money. 4Continued on | P8 The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed changes in digital know your customer (KYC) guidelines for persons with disability and acid attack survivors, saying the right to digital access is an intrinsic component of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. A bench of Justices JB Par- Aritra Singha An FIR has been lodged against the owners of Rituraj Hotel in Kolkata’s densely packed Burra Bazar area, where a devastating fire on Tuesday evening claimed 14 lives — including a woman and two children — and left 13 others injured, several critically. The blaze broke out around 7:30 PM and raged for nearly 10 hours before it was brought under control by ten fire tenders early Wednesday. Director General of Fire Services Ranbir Kumar confirmed that the hotel had not renewed its fire safety No Objection Certificate (NOC) since 2022. “The fire alarm system was non-functional. No NOC renewal had been sought after 2022. An FIR has been filed evening, as per the officials. The team’s inability to approach the cub immediately, owing to the tigress’s defensive behaviour, prompted the Forest Department to deploy an elephant team to keep the tigress at bay. Despite every effort to revive the cub, including summoning veterinarians, the cub did not survive. "The cub was located by our elephant patrolling party on Sunday morning. It was shivering and displayed signs of paralysis in its hind limbs only... the front limbs requires them to perform visual tasks such as moving their head and positioning their faces -- tasks which they are unable to perform due to facial impairment and disfigurement. The disabled as a result encounter delays or are unable to establish their identity, open bank accounts, access essential services or take the benefit of government schemes, it said, adding that the court has passed 20 directions on the matter. 4Continued on | P8 High-level huddles to shape country’s Pakistan policy Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar NEW DELHI In a dramatic escalation of backroom consultations following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 dead, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and the Air Force and Navy Chief as well as the National Security Adviser Ajith Doval held an unscheduled late-evening meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, reports said. The meeting followed a parallel high-level huddle at Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s residence to chart India’s next steps following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. The Shah-led meeting, attended by Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil and senior cabinet colleagues, comes amid growing pressure within the government to redefine its Pakistan policy both on water-sharing and crossborder security. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi chaired the second high-level session of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) within a week, underscoring the gravity of the evolving security scenario. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Af- India strikes back at Pak, shuts airspace FP News Service MUMBAI In a decisive countermeasure, India on Wednesday issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), effectively shutting its airspace to all Pakistan-registered civilian and military aircraft. The move comes amid rising tensions in the wake of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, and just six days after Islamabad barred Indian aircraft from its skies. The NOTAM, which comes into force from April 30 and will remain in effect until May 23, 2025, prohibits any Pakistani aircraft— whether commercial or military—from entering Indian airspace. The ban marks a sharp escalation in diplomatic hostilities between the two neighbours. 4Continued on | P8 fairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval were present for the deliberations. 4Continued on | P8 Pak national carrier cancels all flights in Gilgit, other PoK areas Pakistan's national carrier on Wednesday cancelled all flights to and from Gilgit, Skardu and other northern areas in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir due to security reasons, local media reports said, amid rising tensions with India following the Pahalgam terror attack. Citing the flight schedule, Urdu daily Jang reported that the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) cancelled two flights each from Karachi and Lahore to Skardu. Parashuram Dham will be built in Janapav: CM Chinmoy Das Agencies INDORE Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday participated in the 'Parashuram Janmotsav' celebrations at Janapav, the birthplace of Lord Parashuram, in Indore's Mhow. On the occasion of Parashuram Jayanti, CM Yadav announced the construction of a 14 dead in Kolkata hotel blaze KOLKATA diwala and R Mahadevan said the changes in digital KYC guidelines for people with disability, including blindness, and acid attack survivors are necessary as they are unable to complete the KYC process and avail facilities like opening bank accounts and take benefit of welfare schemes. The court also noted the inability of such people to conduct the KYC process, which against the owners,” he said. Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose said both the hotel management and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation must be held accountable. “KMC and the police must take responsibility. Strong action will follow,” he stated. Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma revised an initial death toll of 15 to 14. A Special Investigation Team has been formed to investigate the cause of the fire and assess lapses in safety measures. Neha Agarwal, a survivor, described how she and her family were trapped on the fourth floor. 4Continued on | P8 'Parshuram Dham' at the revered site. Yadav offered prayers at the sacred spot and sought peace, prosperity, and well-being for the people of the state. Addressing the gathering, CM Yadav described Janapav as the holy birth- place of Lord Parashuram-one of the seven immortals of Sanatan culture--and called it a unique site and sacred location in India. "Whenever adharma prevailed, Lord Parashuram stood up to protect Sanatan Dharma, defeating evil forces and inspiring society 7 killed in AP temple wall collapse Trade deal coming along great: Trump VISAKHAPATNAM PTI were trembling like what happens in rigour. Unfortunately, despite all efforts to resuscitate it, the cub succumbed later on Monday evening," Pench Tiger Reserve Deputy Director Rajnish Singh told IANS. The severity of the incident led the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) to act swiftly, ensuring thorough investigation procedures were undertaken. Wildlife veterinarians with courage and righteousness. To honour this legacy, a Parashuram Dham will be developed at Janapav," he said. Recalling his divine legacy, the CM spoke of Lord Parashuram's role across epochs-from breaking the bow in Lord Ram's Swayamvar to gifting the Sudarshan Chakra to Lord Krishna. conducted a post-mortem at the site, collecting samples for scientific analysis to determine the exact cause of death. The remains have since been sent to Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University in Jabalpur for further investigation to ascertain the exact cause of death, be it injury or any disease, an official said. 4Continued on | P8 US President Donald Trump said negotiations with India over a bilateral trade deal are "coming along great" and he thinks Washington will "have a deal" with New Delhi. Trump made the remarks on Tuesday while speaking to reporters before departing the White House for a rally in Michigan marking the first 100 days of his second administration. "India is coming along great. I think we'll have a deal with India," said the president. "The Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) as you know was here three weeks ago, and they want to make a deal. We'll see what happens," he added. Prime Minister Modi visited the White House in late February. Earlier in the day, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters in the White House that the US is "very close" to a trade deal with India. He said that America's Asian trading partners and allies "have been the most forthcoming in terms of doing the deals". Responding to a question on the timeline for a trade deal, he said, "I think that we are very close on India and .India, in a funny way, is easier gets bail from Dhaka court 4Continued on | P8 NEW YORK/WASHINGTON: Seven people were killed when a rain-soaked wall collapsed at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Simhachalam here in the early hours of Wednesday, turning an annual ritual at the famous north Andhra shrine into a scene of both grandeur and grief. The government said seven people died after the wall collapsed on the Rs 300 ticket queue line near the shopping complex on the ghat road from Simhagiri bus stand at around 3 am. See Nation 7-month-old tiger cub dies in Pench IANS Rahul welcomes govt’s ‘sudden’ decision, seeks census timeline For mer Congress president Rahul Gandhi led the opposition parties on Wednesday in welcoming the Centre's "sudden" decision to include caste enumeration in the forthcoming census. "We support this (government's decision) completely but we want a timeline. We want to know by when it will be done," the Leader of Opposition said, taking a swipe at the BJP-led government for opposing it for 11 years. Gandhi reiterated his demand for removing the 50% cap on reservations. He has been demanding a nationwide caste census for quite some time, making it a major election issue. "This is the first step and Telangana is a model for caste census," he said. offgrid BHOPAL E-paper Edit Canada, US rework ties P.6 CABINET ANNOUNCEMENT | This decision will ensure that the society becomes stronger economically and socially Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar MUMBAI India is coming along great. I think we’ll have a deal with India. Donald Trump, US President to negotiate with (than) many other countries because they have very high tariffs and lots of tariffs. "So it's much easier to confront the direct tariffs when as we go through these unfair trade deals that have been put in over decades, that the nontariff trade barriers can be much more insidious and also harder to detect. "So a country like India, which has posted and ready tariffs, it's much easier to negotiate with them," he said, adding that negotiations with New Delhi are "moving well". 4Continued on | P8 PTI DHAKA A bench of Bangladesh High Court on Wednesday ordered release of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das on bail, five months after he was arrested on a charge of defaming the country’s national flag, court officials said. "The two-judge bench declared absolute its earlier rule asking authorities why he should not be granted bail," an official of the High Court said. The bench comprising Justice Atoar Rahman and Justice Ali Reza granted the bail after the final hearing on their previous rule. On October 31, a case with Kotwali police station in Chattogram was filed accusing Das and 18 others of disrespecting the Bangladesh national flag. A former ISKCON leader, Das was arrested at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on November 25 last year. A spokesperson for the Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jote, a Hindu organisation, Das was taken to the court at the southeastern port city of Chattogram, which sent him to jail rejecting his bail petition the next day. Das' arrest sparked widespread protests with his followers demonstrating in Dhaka and other places. In the port city, the protest turned violent when assistant government prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif was hacked to death, hours after Das was sent to jail.