FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. XLII No. 95 | INDORE | FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 12, 2025 | Pages 16 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 www.freepressjournal.in Sports Sachin quashes BCCI presidency buzz P.15 fp Briefs NEW DELHI Match should go on: SC The Supreme Court on Thursday declined an urgent hearing on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking cancellation of the India-Pakistan Asia Cup T20 cricket match scheduled in Dubai on September 14. "Match is this Sunday? What can we do about that? Let it be. The match should go on!" NEW DELHI Rs 1,200 crore for flood-hit U’khand Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced a financial assistance of Rs 1,200 crore for Uttarakhand during his visit to Dehradun to review the flood situation and damage caused due to cloudbursts, rains and landslides in affected areas. MPHRC directs SP to probe rape case FP News Service JABALPUR ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE UJJAIN MONEY PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK Cinema Aishwarya trumps AI P.14 HEALING TOUCH | In Act East move, Modi to launch a slew of projects in strife-torn state tomorrow amid tight security PM’s first visit = `8,500 cr gift package for Manipur FP News Service On his first visit to strife-torn Manipur on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch a series of development projects worth ₹8,500 crore, aiming to accelerate the healing process in a state still grappling with the lingering scars of Meitei-Kuki violence. In view of the long-awaited visit, security measures have been tightened in Imphal and Churachandpur town, officials said on Thursday. Modi will lay foundation stones for projects valued at Rs 7,300 crore from Peace Ground in Churachandpur where Kukis are in the majority, officials said. In Meitei-dominated Imphal, he will also inaugurate infrastructure projects worth Rs 1,200 crore. The violence that broke out in May 2023 has so far claimed over 260 lives and rendered thousands homeless. The initiatives aim to accelerate infrastructure growth, improve connectivity, and boost socio-economic development in the state. Banners proclaiming the PM's visit have sprung up across the state to herald the “Viksit Bharat Viksit Manipur” campaign. In a joint statement issued on Thursday, a broad coalition of Kuki Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) welcomed the PM's visit, calling it “deeply significant” for the Kuki-Zo people. While the CSOs urged the public to turn out in large numbers, they reiterated their demand for a separate administration. On the other hand, at least six Imphal Valley-based Meitei insurgent groups have issued a call to boycott the PM's functions. The Co-ordination Commit- E-paper Edit Police, police thyself P.6 GST reforms to inject fresh growth momentum into auto sector: SIAM IMPHAL MUMBAI India, Mauritius to boost trade in local currencies PTI VARANASI tee (CorCom), an umbrella body of the rebel groups, issued a "total shutdown" from 1 am till Modi's departure on Saturday. To ensure peace, personnel of both state and central forces have been deployed in large numbers in and around the nearly 237-acre Kangla Fort in Imphal and Peace Ground in Churachandpur, where a grand stage is being constructed for the PM's function. Frisking and checking have been intensified at Sanjenthong, Minuthong and Moirangkhom areas, which all lead to Kangla Fort. A central security official said, "Sniffer dogs and advanced tools are being used to detect any unwanted materials. Security personnel are taking turns to patrol the periphery and premises of the fort on foot to scan for any unwanted signs. India on Thursday announced an over USD 655 million special economic package for Mauritius and signed seven pacts to further expand bilateral ties in several critical sectors with Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing the two countries as not just partners but a family. Following talks with his Mauritian counterpart Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Modi said a free, open, stable and prosperous Indian Ocean is a shared priority for both sides and India remains fully committed to strengthening the security of Mauritius's exclusive economic zone. Modi also said that both sides will work towards enabling bilateral trade in local currencies following successful launch of UPI and RuPay cards in Mauritius. Under the special economic package, India will assist Mauritius implement at least 10 projects that include 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 RAIPUR At least 10 Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district on Thursday, a police official said. Police sources said Modem Balakrishna, a senior leader and Central Committee Member (CCM) of the outlawed CPI (Maoist), is among the deceased. The gunfight broke out in the forest under Mainpur po- Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL Customs officers in Indore conducted coordinated searches across eight locations after receiving intelligence about misuse of the Advance Authorisation Scheme by M/s Som Distilleries and Breweries Ltd, sources said on Thursday. The searches, carried out on Wednesday and Thursday, covered three company premises in Raisen and Bhopal and five premises of their Customs Brokers in Indore, Mandideep and Bhopal, who facilitated import and export operations. Authorities allege that the company diverted large quantities of duty-free imported materials into the domestic market instead of using them to produce goods for export, violating the scheme. Distilleries had imported empty beer bottles and cans under the scheme, which allows duty-free import of raw materials for manufacturing export products. Instead of meeting export obligations, the materials were repackaged with liquor and sold domestically. The company has deposited Rs 14 crore in duty so far, though the final amount of duty evaded, including interest and penalties, is still under assessment. Investigations are on to determine full extent of the violation. Rajgarh man among 5 nabbed in ‘Khilafat’ terror plot linked to Pak Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL The Delhi Police Special Cell arrested five people, including a man from Biora in Rajgarh district, in connection with a ‘Khilafat’ terror module with links to Pakistan, officials said on Thursday. Investigations into other suspects are still underway. Additional CP Pramod Singh Kushwaha, addressing the media in New Delhi, said explosives-related materials such as sulphur powder, sulphuric acid, nitric acid, sodium bicarbonate, pH checkers, ball bearings, wires, motherboards, laptops, mobile phones, along with weapons and cartridges, were recovered from the group. These items could be used to make improvised explosive devices. The accused, he said, were being guided to promote the idea of ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’and carry out terror activities. The arrested include 23-year-old Ashar Danish, alias Ashrar Qureshi, an English honours graduate from Ranchi; Aftab Qureshi and Sufiyan Abubakar from Mumbai; Mohammad Huzaifa from Telangana; and Kamran Qureshi from Rajgarh. Danish, police said, led the module and coordinated tasks with other members on behalf of handlers known by code names such as ‘CEO’, ‘Gazba’ and ‘Professor’. The group was also attempting to raise funds to buy land for setting up a ‘Khilafat zone’. PRESIDENTIAL REFERENCE SC RESERVES JUDGEMENT FP News Service NEW DELHI A five-judge Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai on Thursday reserved its judgment on President Droupadi Murmu’s Article 143 reference seeking the SC’s opinion on 14 questions about timelines and procedures for the President and Governors to act on Bills. The development comes after a 10-day hearing. The Constitution Bench was deliberating whether courts can fix deadlines, whether “deemed assent” is permissible, and how Articles 200, 201 and 213 should be read. The reference followed the Court’s April 8 ruling in the Tamil Nadu Governor matter, which prescribed timelines for decision-making and treated certain Bills as “deemed assented.” The President’s questions argue that the Constitution does not contemplate judicially imposed deadlines or deemed assent. Kerala and Tamil Nadu 4Continued on | P8 lice station limits when security personnel were out on an antiNaxalite operation, Raipur Range Inspector General of Police Amresh Mishra told PTI. "Personnel belonging to the Special Task Force (STF - a unit Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL Chief Minister Mohan Yadav handed over scooty to 7,832 meritorious students from Government Higher Secondary Schools across Madhya Pradesh under the Free Scooty Distribution Scheme. The event was held on Thursday at Kushabhau Thakre Convention Centre in Bhopal. Addressing students, Yadav urged them to study diligently and aim high. “If you want to go abroad for higher studies, don’t worry. The government FP News Service BALAGHAT Scene 3: They return to the place where they have kept their bags and cross the river again to reach their school.  This is how the children of Vangram Tikariya village, part of the Paraswada assembly constituency and 40 km away from the Balaghat district headquarters, go to school daily. The middle school where these children study is in the Durendra village, six km away from the Vangram Tikariya hamlet. The stream river does not have much water in summers, but it becomes dangerous during the rainy season, and the children cross it daily, risking their Ghising, the widely respected former chief of the Nepal Electricity Authority. The split highlights a growing rift within the Gen Z movement, which until now had presented a united front against the political establishment. Karki, 73, was 4Continued on | P8 ‘India-US trade talk’s 1st tranche expected by Nov’ IANS NEW DELHI Nepal’s first female Chief Justice and is celebrated for her uncompromising stand against corruption. Her supporters say she is the best person to oversee a transition until fresh elections can be held. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 FP News Service Nepal remained in political limbo on Thursday as the youth-led Gen Z uprising that toppled PM KP Sharma Oli struggled to agree on who should head an interim administration. The protests, which erupted after a controversial ban on social media platforms, have left at least 34 people dead and over 1,300 injured, forcing authorities to impose curfew and deploy the army across major cities. While one faction of the protesters has thrown its weight behind former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki, another group is rallying behind Kulman will provide all financial support. We feel proud to see you progressing. Our youth should aim to become job creators, not job seekers. We are encouraging this through government initiatives. Students should showcase their talent both nationally and internationally,” he said. The chief minister also highlighted past welfare efforts, noting that over the last 15 years, more than 5 lakh laptops have been distributed at a cost of Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said that the first part of the India-US trade deal is expected to be finalised by November. He explained that discussions between the two countries are moving in a positive direction and both sides are satisfied with the progress so far. Speaking to reporters in poll-bound Bihar, Goyal recalled that in February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump had instructed their ministers to work on the pact and finalise the first tranche by November this year. "In February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump together instructed us that the ministers of both sides should make a good agreement by November," Goyal said. "The first part of that agreement, the first tranche, should be finalised by November 2025, and since March, discussions have been going on on this subject very seriously in a very good environment, progress is being made, and with the progress, both sides are satisfied," Goyal added. MUMBAI BJP MLA warns of ‘Nepal-like situation’ Demands military training for youth FP News Service GUNA BJP MLA Pannalal Shakya of Guna has called for mandatory military training for Indian youth, citing fears that India could face internal conflicts similar to those in neighbour- Children cross river to reach school Accident may occur any day, say villagers of the Chhattisgarh police), E30 (a unit of the district police), CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action - an elite unit of the CRPF) and other state police units are involved in the operation. Intermittent exchange of fire is still underway," the IGP said. "Ten Naxalites, including senior cadres, have been gunned down so far," he said, adding that further details were awaited as the operation was still underway. According to police, the operation was launched based on the inputs about the movement of top Naxalites in the area, located over 180 km away from capital Raipur. Leadership limbo over Gen Z rifts looming danger Scene 1: A group of boys put their school uniforms in bags and keep them on the bank of Nehra River Scene 2: They carry their bicycles on their shoulders to cross the river. They keep the bicycles on the other bank. CM gifts scooties to 7,832 meritorious students of class 12 Customs recovers 10 NAXALITES KILLED IN ENCOUNTER Rs 14cr duty in Som Distilleries probe PTI Taking cognisance into alleged rape of a woman by three police personnel, Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission (MPHRC) has sought a report from the Superintendent of Police, Jabalpur in this regard. The Commission has directed the Superintendent of Police to probe the matter. The Commission has taken action on news reports about the rape of a woman by three police personnel posted in Madhotal Police Station. The victim has filed a complaint about the rape committed on her on Dial-112 women’s helpline. However, the police station's TI (Town Inspector) has reportedly dismissed the claims of a woman saying she is mentally unstable. CM Mohan Yadav enjoys scooty ride with a student at a programme on Thursday lives. This process has been going on for a long time. The native village of the legislator of the Paraswara constituency, Madhu Bhagat, is just eight km from the Vangram Tikariya village. Yet, there is none to pay attention to the problems the children are facing. The district administration barely pays attention to this issue, but locals say any day a major accident may occur. 4Continued on | P8 ing countries. Speaking at a sporting event, Shakya warned that a ‘civil war’ situation could break out in India, echoing events in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Afghanistan. He stressed the need for national security alongside development and sports. ‘It is important to be serious about the security and future of the country,’ Shakya stated. The MLA proposed that all citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 should receive compulsory military training. He claimed that this would prepare the youth to defend the nation and their property. Shakya has formally requested the district adminis- tration to forward his proposal to the Central government's Home and Defence ministries. He urged immediate action, claiming that the country's security depends on it. He drew parallels with historical events, referencing the burning of Nalanda University and the destruction of the Somnath temple, arguing that a lack of preparedness led to their downfall. Lenders may get power to lock mobile phones bought on credit Online Report MUMBAI The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is planning to allow lenders to remotely lock mobile phones bought on credit if borrowers fail to repay their loans, two sources said. The move is aimed at reducing bad loans in the consumer finance sector but could raise concerns over consumer rights and privacy. Currently, over one-third of consumer electronics, including mobile phones, are purchased on small-ticket loans in India. A 2024 study by Home Credit Finance showed this trend is significant. With more than 1.16 billion mobile con- nections in India, as per the telecom regulator, phones have become essential tools for communication, work, and education across the country. Earlier, in 2024, the RBI had asked lenders to stop locking phones of defaulting borrowers. The practice involved installing an app when the loan was issued, which could lock the device in case of nonpayment. 4Continued on | P8