08052023-TTB-01.qxd 5/7/2023 11:36 PM 13 SUNAK HOSTS CORONATION ‘BIG LUNCH’ WORLD /thetribunechd Page 1 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 143 NO. 126 | 12 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2021-2023 ESTABLISHED IN 1881  HARYANA monday | 8 may 2023 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com Centre says ready for dialogue; drones, copters for surveillance MANIPUR RIOTS 23K moved to safety | Opposition for President’s rule New Delhi/Imphal, May 7 Life started limping back to normalcy under the watchful eyes of the Army, which pressed into service drones and helicopters for heightened surveillance as curfew was relaxed on Sunday in parts of Manipur that witnessed bloody ethnic rioting over the past few days. The past 24 hours witnessed a higher movement of UAVs and Army helicopters within the Imphal Valley. A total of 23,000 civilians have been rescued till now and moved to special camps. Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who chaired an allparty meet on Saturday, said it was decided to set up peace committees in every Assembly constituency to ensure that peace initiatives were implemented at the grassroots level. Appealing to the warring groups in the state to maintain calm and help administration in restoring peace, the Centre today said ❝ MINISTER’S APPEAL TO WARRING GROUPS We should exercise restraint and resolve the issues through talks, not violence. We are ready for talks with all stakeholders. G Kishan Reddy, UNION MINISTER FOR DEVELOPMENT OF NE REGION PEACE PANELS MULLED ■ Manipur CM chaired an all-par- ty meeting on the situation ■ Said peace panels would be set up in all Assembly segments < Security personnel during a < rescue operation in Manipur. ANI SUPREME COURT TO HEAR PLEA FILED BY BJP LEGISLATOR ON ST STATUS TO MEITEIS TODAY it was ready to hold talks with all stakeholders. Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region G Kishan Reddy said the Centre was not adamant when it came to people’s welfare. He cited the example of rollback of three farm laws. “Please come forward to resolve the issues in a peaceful manner… We should all exercise restraint and resolve the issues through talks, not violence,” he said. Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said the voters of Manipur were feeling “grossly betrayed” just a year after electing the BJP to power and called for the imposition of President’s rule in the state. Meanwhile, people were continued on page 9 Wrestlers set May 21 deadline for WFI chief’s arrest; govt sends panel for talks Support swells at Jantar Mantar | Punjab farm unions, 100 khaps join in Delhi cops to verify if complainant minor Tribune News Service New Delhi/Rohtak, May 7 Amid the swelling of support for the wrestlers at Jantar Mantar, the protesters today set May 21 as deadline for the government to arrest Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the embattled Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief facing allegations of sexual exploitation of women grapplers. The 14-day ultimatum came hours after the government formally opened up talks with the wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat, who have been sitting on a dharna for 15 days. Led by Sports Authority of India (SAI) Director General Sandip Pradhan, a two-member delegation of the Sports Ministry met the representatives of the wrestlers last continued on page 9 The protesters during a candlelight march at Jantar Mantar. PTI BARRICADES BREACHED WATER CANNON, CRANES Jhajjar: Stopped at the Tikri border, BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) activists breached barricades. However, a police official said 10 buses and four cars, carrying over 500 persons, were allowed to go. Sonepat:The police made elaborate security arrangements at Singhu, Safiabad and Auchandi borders. A water cannon, sandladen dumpers and cranes were deployed at Singhu. INSIDE NEW DELHI: Days after two FIRs were filed against the WFI chief, one under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, for alleged sexual harassment of women wrestlers, the Delhi Police are verifying the age of one of the complainants. They have reportedly taken into possession some documents. “This is a routine exercise,” said a senior officer. “The police will check the birth certificate. If not accessible, it will then inspect the school records,” he added. Meanwhile, Asian Games medallist Vinesh Phogat said though FIRs had been filed against the WFI president, “our statements under Section 164 of the CrPC have yet to be recorded.” — TNS Chill may trigger fungal diseases, fear orchardists Driver transporting cattle shot by BSF Subhash Rajta SHILLONG: A 32-year-old truck Tribune News Service LoC posting for TA women officers, Rajnath gives nod Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 7 The Ministry of Defence has approved the posting of women officers of the Territorial Army (TA) along the Line of Control (LoC). They will be posted with TA’s engineer regiments serving along the LoC and also as staff officers at TA Group Headquarters and Directorate General, TA, New Delhi, as per organisational requirement, the MoD said, adding this was a progressive policy measure aimed at enhancing the scope of employment for the women officers. The move has been facilitated after an amendment to existing cadre management provisions was okayed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Women have been serving and continued on page 9 Shimla, May 7 The wet and cold weather for nearly two months now has brought double trouble for apple and stone fruit growers. While the apple production is likely to reduce significantly (low production has already been reported in stone fruits like cherry and plum), the chances of fungal diseases like scab attacking the plant and the fruit have Cherry, plum yield in HP already down increased sharply. “The weather conditions are conducive to fungal diseases like scab. The moisture and temperature are congenial for the surfacing and spread of fungal diseases,” said Kirti Sinha, Senior Plant Protection Officer, Department of Horticulture. “The continued on page 9 IN BRIEF driver allegedly transporting cattle was shot dead by BSF personnel in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills. A court of inquiry has been ordered. PTI Pak aircraft strays into Indian airspace LAHORE: A Pakistan International Airlines aircraft flew in Indian airspace for 10 minutes as it failed to land at Lahore airport due to rain, according to a media report on Sunday. PTI Over 2,600 farm fires in Punjab in 3 days Aman Sood Tribune News Service Patiala, May 7 Punjab has witnessed over 2,600 cases of farm fire in the past three days as compared to 654 recorded last month. On Sunday, another 502 farm fires took the total to 3,269 cases. With the wheat harvest almost over, the state witnessed 1,221 cases of farm fires on Saturday, while the count was 892 on Friday. Experts say the number PPCB DATA BARES IT ALL YEAR 2023 2022 2021 2020 SCARED, CONG GOT SONIA TO CAMPAIGN: PM BACK PAGE CASES 3,269 so far 14,511 10,100 13,420 will rise further as the wet spell is over and farm fires will continue to pollute the air for another two weeks. The sudden rise in farm fires is due to the fact that farmers prepare fields for the paddy season, which starts in June. According to data available on the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) website, the state recorded 13,420 cases in 2020, 10,100 in 2021 and 14,511 in 2022. This season, till date, 3,269 cases have been recorded. On Saturday, Barnala with 200 and Sangrur with 167 cases led the chart, while on Sunday, Sangrur led with 72 cases. continued on page 9