16112023-TTC-01.qxd 11/16/2023 12:52 AM Page 1 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 7 NO. 316 | 14 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2021-2023 ESTABLISHED IN 1881 RWANDA MIGRATION SCHEME UNLAWFUL, SAYS UK COURT WORLD /thetribunechd INFILTRATION BID FOILED IN URI, TWO TERRORISTS SHOT J&K DIGITAL LENDING: RBI PUTS CURBS ON BAJAJ FINANCE BUSINESS XI ARRIVES IN US, TO MEET BIDEN ON APEC SIDELINES BACK PAGE thursday | 16 november 2023 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com U’khand ropes in Thai experts for tunnel rescue op 10/10 MEN IN BLUE STAY UNBEATEN INDIA IN FINAL Neeraj Mohan Tribune News Service Kohli breaks Sachin’s record, becomes first to slam 50th ODI ton Rohit Mahajan CRICKET Tribune News Service Mumbai, November 15 India, losers in the previous two semifinals of the World Cup, are in the final after a 12-year gap following yet another complete team performance — Virat Kohli scored his 50th ODI century, Shreyas Iyer got his second in a row, Mohammed Shami finished with seven wickets, and the home team defended an eminently defendable 397 against New Zealand. At the venue where they won the World Cup crown in 2011, India got through into the final after beating New Zealand by 70 runs, and though the Kiwis gave India a good fight in the face of an impossible target — “got a sniff”, said captain Kane Williamson later — the home team’s win was never in doubt. Rohit Sharma, who has shaped the team in his image — irreverent, aggressive, fearless — and his men paid back for the faith he reposed in them. He got India going with a selflessly aggressive 47 off 29 that made the New Zealand paceman forget WORLD CUP SHAMI’S 7-WICKET HAUL Pacer Mohammed Shami, who scalped top four Kiwi batters, sealed New Zealand’s fate by ending Daryl Mitchell’s belligerent knock. Shami ended up with a gold-standard seven-wicket haul. India 397/4; NZ 327 (48.5) TODAY’S TIE TEAMS their lines; Shubman Gill (80) and Shreyas Iyer (117) did the same. Virat Kohli was allowed, thus, to play his role to perfection — bat long and deep, as an insurance against a collapse — while everyone around him could go hard at the opposition. The pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Shami and Mohammed NIA chargesheets Masood Azhar’s right-hand man NEW DELHI: The NIA has chargesheeted two persons, including right-hand man of JeM chief Masood Azhar, for their plans to disturb peace and communal harmony in J&K by attacking security forces, officials said. INSIDE Siraj copped some punishment — not really unexpected, on a slow and flat track; but they had the luxury of a massive total on the board. “Today being the semifinal, won’t say there was no pressure… Semifinal adds a bit extra, we wanted to not think too much about it,” said Rohit later. “Last two World NASA, ISRO gearing up to launch joint space mission BENGALURU: The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) is set to be launched in the first quarter of 2024 after a few tests, particularly those related to vibration, NASA officials have said. PTI Jaishankar, UK NSA discuss global challenges LONDON: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday met British National Security Adviser (NSA) Tim Barrow and held a “good discussion” with him on regional and global challenges. BACK PAGE Communist veteran N Sankaraiah dies at 101 CHENNAI: Freedom fighter, veteran of the Communist movement and senior CPM leader N Sankaraiah died here on Wednesday at the age of 101. Sankaraiah was a founding member of the CPM. PTI Punjab logs 2,544 farm fires despite flying squad Patiala, November 15 At 2,544, the state today witnessed the second highest count of farm fires in a single day this season. The closing of mandis at certain places in the state and the ideal window period — November 1 to November 20 — for sowing of wheat crop nearing an end have caused panic among farmers, which has reportedly triggered the latest spike in farm fires. A total of 6,931 farm fires have been reported from the state in the past four days. The state had witnessed 1,776 cases of stubble burning on Tuesday, 1,624 on Monday, while 987 incidents of farm fire were reported on Sunday (Diwali). The highest number of farm fires — 3,230 – was reported November 5. While 639 incidents of farm fire were reported from the state on November 9, merely six cases of stubble burning were reported on November 10 and 104 cases on November 11. Bathinda, the most polluted city in the state, saw 356 continued on page 11 2 pm 2nd highest single-day count this season Stubble being burnt in Patiala on Wednesday. RAJESH SACHAR BATHINDA MOST POLLUTED IN STATE ■ Bathinda remains the most pol- luted city in the state with an average AQI of 359 followed by Mandi Gobindgarh 284 ■ The AQI of Patiala was 234, Jalandhar (228), Ludhiana (164), Khanna (162) and Amritsar (160) DELHI AQI ‘SEVERE’ ■ There is no relief in sight as Delhi and the NCR continue to grapple with ‘severe’ air quality. The average AQI in Delhi reached 401 (severe) on Wednesday, marking the third consecutive day of hazardous conditions. Cups, we lost (in the semifinals),” said Shami. “Who knows when or if we’ll get a chance! So we wanted to do everything for this.” As for Williamson, he was left ashen-faced, yet still smiling, and words of praise for India, and warning to their final opponents: “They’re the best team in the world.” HAD SAVED CHILDREN FROM FLOODED CAVE Despite utilising excavators to create an escape tunnel with steel pipes, rescuers are grappling with challenges in penetrating iron pipes through the heaps of rubble and boulders. In a statement issued by the Uttarakhand Government, it was revealed that assistance was now being sought from special teams in Norway and Thailand. The government has reached out to a Thai rescue company, which played a pivotal role in the successful rescue of children from a cave in Thailand. Additionally, contact has been established with the Norwegian Geological Institute (NGI) to seek specialised advice for the tunnel operation. In July 2018, 12 members of a junior association football team, continued on page 11 Rescue operation underway in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. PTI 39 dead, 17 injured as bus rolls down 300-foot gorge in Doda Arjun Sharma Jammu, November 15 Thirtynine passengers, including 10 women, were killed and 17 injured when a bus skidded off the road and rolled down into a 300-foot gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Wednesday. The bus, reportedly carrying 56 passengers, was travelling on the National Highway-244 from Kishtwar to Jammu when it fell into a deep gorge near Assar as the driver was apparently not able to negotiate a curve. A rescue operation was launched by locals and the police. The Army also sent its VEHICLE WAS ON WAY TO JAMMU FROM KISHTWAR The vehicle, carrying 56 passengers, was on the way from Kishtwar to Jammu when it fell into a deep gorge near Assar as the driver was apparently not able to negotiate a curve. PRESIDENT, PM EXPRESS GRIEF President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi expressed grief over the accident. The PM announced an ex gratia aid of ~2 lakh from the PM’s relief fund to next of kin of each deceased. An amount of ~50,000 each would be given to the injured, he said. Quick Reaction Team and medical personnel from a nearby unit to the site. Army personnel helped in shifting of the injured to Government Medical College (GMC), Doda. Doda Senior Superintendent of Police Abdul Qayoom said 39 persons died in the accident while 17 were injured. “The toll reached 39 on Wednesday evening after three of the four injured who were shifted to the GMC, Jammu, succumbed to their continued on page 11 PM Modi makes tribal push in Cong goes all out to retain C’garh, Jharkhand amid state elections BJP battles MPanti-incumbency Shubhadeep Choudhury Tribune News Service Tribune News Service TIME Kolkata Virat Kohli celebrates his 50th century during the semifinal against New Zealand in Mumbai. PTI IN BRIEF Mohit Khanna VENUE SA vs Australia New Delhi, November 15 As the rescue mission for the 40 trapped labourers in Uttarkashi entered its fourth day on Wednesday, the Uttarakhand Government has turned to specialised teams from Thailand, known for their successful rescue of children trapped in a flooded cave in July 2018. New Delhi, November 15 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed a function to mark the celebration of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas at Khunti, Jharkhand, and launched multiple initiatives, including the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra outreach programme and the Pradhan Mantri Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups Development Mission. A video message from President Droupadi Murmu was also played on the occasion. Modi also visited Ulihatu village, birthplace of the Santhal freedom fighter Birsa Munda, and the Birsa Munda Memorial Park-cum-Freedom Fighter Museum in Ranchi today. Modi said the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra would help ensure that flagship government schemes benefited the common folks. The PM flagged off five specially designed IEC (information, education and communication) vans carrying mes- Dhaka defies US, to go to polls with Hasina as PM Launches outreach programmes Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service PM Modi receives a memento from Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren. PTI VISITS BIRSA MUNDA’S BIRTHPLACE ■ Narendra Modi pays visit to Ulihatu village, the birthplace of Santhal freedom fighter Birsa Munda, and Birsa Munda Memorial Park-cum-Freedom Fighter Museum in Ranchi ■ Flags off five specially designed IEC (information, education and communication) vans carrying messages of the government’s welfare programmes for the common folks sages of the government’s welfare programmes. These will go to various gram panchayats with significant tribal population located in Khunti district and areas in its neighbourhood. Questioning the initiatives, the Congress accused the Narendra Modi government of doing harm to tribals by weakening the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. New Delhi, November 15 Shrillness marked the closure of election campaigns in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh on Wednesday with leaders firing salvos at one another in the final bid to woo the electorate. Madhya Pradesh (single phase for all 230 seats) and Chhattisgarh (second phase for 70 of the 90 Assembly seats) will vote on November 17 to decide the fate of top guns — MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his Chhattisgarh counterpart Bhupesh Baghel, contesting from Budhni and Patan, respectively; Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar, Prahlad Patel and Faggan Kulaste in the fray from Dimani, Narsingpur and Niwas in MP respectively; , BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya contesting from Indore 1 and Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister TS Singh Deo from Ambikapur in Sarguja which Fate to be sealed tomorrow: Shivraj Chouhan & Bhupesh Baghel MP: POLLING FOR ALL 230 SEATS 2,553 CANDIDATES IN FRAY 5,60,60,925 VOTERS 2,049 POLLING BOOTHS CHHATTISGARH: 2ND PHASE FOR 70 SEATS 958 CANDIDATES IN FRAY 1,63,14,479 VOTERS 18,833 POLLING BOOTHS the Congress had swept in 2018, alongside the Bastar belt, dealing the BJP a blow. Addressing a rally in MP’s Datia today, Congress star campaigner Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launched a blistering attack on former colleague Jyotiraditya Scindia calling Jind horror: Mystery shrouds death of 2 more girls After recent suicide by girl student, fresh cases of victimisation come to light Deepender Deswal Sandeep Dikshit Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Hisar, November 15 It has come to light that two more girls, apart from a suicide victim, who were students of Government Senior Secondary School in a town of Jind district, allegedly died under mysterious circumstances in recent months. Making this revelation on the basis of information procured following interaction with girl students of the school, Samyukta Kisan Morcha activist Sikkim Nain said, “It is not clear whether New Delhi, November 15 Amidst US-Bangladesh tensions, Dhaka indicated that it would defy Washington by holding the General Election on January 7 with Sheikh Hasina in charge as PM. The US was insisting that Hasina hand over power to a caretaker government. However, the ruling Awami League government says the provision for a caretaker government has been deleted from the continued on page 11 Curtains on high-pitched poll campaigns to two states STUDENT TAKING PSYCHIATRIC HELP ■ A girl student dropped out of the school due to exploitation and mental torture. An SKM activist said the student was undergoing psychiatric treatment in Chandigarh now. WOMAN ACTIVIST MEETS GIRLS ■ Savita, state president of Janwadi Mahila Samiti, who met about 20 girls, said, “Disturbing accounts of the alleged sexual harassment have been shared by girls.” PRINCIPAL SENT MESSAGES ON INSTAGRAM ■ The principal, who is in judicial custody, used to send inap- propriate messages to girls on their Instagram accounts. the girls died of some ailment or any other reason. But the incidents need a thorough probe.” c m y b The principal of the school had been arrested on charges of sexually harassing several girls. A prelimi- nary inquiry had revealed that about 60 girls reported facing harassment. Savita, state president of the Janwadi Mahila Samiti (JMS), who met about 20 girls, said she also got information about the death of another girl from students during her interaction. “Disturbing accounts of the alleged sexual harassment have been shared by girls,” she said. Sharing details about the Class XI student, who committed suicide at her continued on page 11 edit: ‘predator’ principal him a “renegade”. “He is short in height but big in ego... he diligently followed the tradition of his family by betraying the people of Gwalior and Chambal and stabbing you in the back by dislodging a duly elected Congress government,” Vadra said. She also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that “the PM only keeps whining”. Her tirade followed PM’s Tuesday jibes at Vadra’s brother Rahul Gandhi, who he called a “leader of fools” while on a campaign in MP . On the final day of canvassing today, BJP chief JP Nadda returned fire to the Congress, saying: “Congress leaders turn Ram Bhakts every time a poll approaches. They are seasonal Hindus.” Dissonance apart, elections in both states would be keenly watched for the non-Congress, and non-BJP players in the field. In a close fight, these outfits can make all the difference. In MP three , continued on page 11 Gaggal airport: Rehab plan for displaced in works Dharamsala: The Kangra district administration is formulating a relief and rehabilitation plan for people likely to be displaced due to the expansion of the Gaggal airport. Sources said over 2,500 families would be uprooted. Under the relief and rehabilitation plan, double benefit has been proposed for people likely to be displaced. The benefits proposed are compensation for the land acquired and provision for alternative land and houses in satellite townships. INSIDE