14042024-TT-01.qxd 4/13/2024 11:07 PM Page 1 123 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 144 NO. 103 | 20 PAGES | ~7.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881  HIMACHAL PRADESH 10 KILLED IN SHELLING IN RUSSIA-OCCUPIED UKRAINE WORLD /thetribunechd WILL KEEP ARTICLE 370 ABROGATION ISSUE ALIVE, SAYS OMAR J&K BOOM TIME FOR FOREIGN SECY MEETS ~30,000 CR ICE-CREAM SENIOR US OFFICIALS, INDUSTRY SPECTRUM REVIEWS TIES BACK PAGE sunday | 14 april 2024 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com Iran seizes Israel-linked vessel with 17 Indian crew; Delhi in touch with Tehran Efforts on to ensure ‘early release’| Tel Aviv warns of ‘consequences’ Don’t: Biden warns Tribune News Service New Delhi, April 13 Hours after Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) naval forces seized a cargo ship having part-Israeli ownership, Indian authorities contacted Tehran seeking safe release of 17 Indian nationals, who are part of the vessel’s crew. The merchant vessel, MSC Aries, which has 25 crew in all, has been taken into Iran’s maritime territory — that is 12 nautical miles from its coast. Indian sources said: “We are aware that cargo ship ‘MSC Aries’ has been taken control of by Iran. We have learnt that there are 17 Indian nationals on board. We are in touch with the Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels, both in RETALIATION FOR CONSULATE AIRSTRIKE ■ Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seizes ‘MSC Aries’ container ship, with crew of 25, near Strait of Hormuz ■ Portuguese-flagged ship is linked to London-based Zodiac Maritime, a part of Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac Group ■ Iran had vowed to retaliate for ‘Israeli airstrikes’ on its consulate in Syria on April 1, killing its senior commanders << A video grab of Iranian commandos rappelling down an Mi-17 on to a stack of containers on vessel’s deck. REUTERS Tehran and Delhi, to ensure security, welfare and early release of Indian nationals.” The detained ship operates under the flag of Portugal IN BRIEF Gas power plants told to run ops in May, June and is connected to the London-based company “Zodiac Maritime”, owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer. The Iranians detained the vessel on Saturday after its commando forces accompanied by a helicopter conducted an aerial operation. Iran’s state-run continued on page 6 Tehran against attacking Israel Washington, April 13 The seizure of Israel-linked vessel comes hours after US President Joe Biden said he expected Iran to attack Israel “sooner, rather than later” and warned Tehran not to proceed. Asked by reporters about his message to Iran, Biden said simply, “Don’t,” and he underscored Washington’s commitment to defend Israel. Israel has been bracing for an attack by Iran or its proxies as warnings grew of retaliation for an attack on Iran’s embassy compound last week in Damascus that killed a senior commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ overseas Quds Force and six other officers. — Reuters NIA chargesheets two in Manipur car blast case NEW DELHI: The NIA has filed a chargesheet against two accused, including the main conspirator, in the Manipur vehicle blast case in which three persons were hurt and properties damaged. INSIDE Sandeshkhali: Probe points to ‘rights violation’ NEW DELHI: In a spot inquiry into the Sandeshkhali case in West Bengal, the NHRC has flagged “several instances of atrocities”, saying it indicates there was a “violation of human rights”. PTI SC to take up Kejriwal’s plea against HCorder tomorrow Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, April 13 The Supreme Court will on Monday take up Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s petition challenging the Delhi High Court’s verdict upholding his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy case. Kejriwal’s petition is listed before a Bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta for hearing on April 15. A day after the Delhi High Court dismissed his petition against his arrest by the ED, Kejriwal had on April 10 moved the SC challenging the high court’s verdict. A Bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud had on April 10 agreed to consider Kejriwal’s request CJI HAD AGREED FOR URGENT HEARING ■ Kejriwal’s petition is listed before Tribune News Service New Delhi, April 13 Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that there cannot be any rules in the country to answer to terrorists as they do not play by rules, and that India is committed to respond to any act of terrorism perpetrated from across the borders. Interacting with youth at an event titled ‘Why Bharat Matters: Opportunity for youth and participation in global scenario’ in Pune on Friday, he attacked the UPA regime over its response to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. The minister said after a lot of deliberation, the then government decided that the cost of attacking Pakistan was more than not attacking it. “So, after a lot of Tribune News Service New Delhi, April 13 The Congress on Saturday named Anandpur Sahib MP Manish Tewari as its candidate from Chandigarh for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Himachal Pradesh PWD Minister and Shimla-Rural MLA Vikramaditya Singh has been pitted against BJP candidate and actress Kangana Ranaut in Mandi. Kasauli MLA Vinod Sultanpuri will contest against BJP’s Suresh Kashyap from the Shimla (SC) constituency, according to the list of 16 candidates released by the Congress after the meeting of its central election committee (CEC) here today. Vikramaditya Singh MANDI Vinod Sultanpuri SHIMLA (SC) Manish Tewari CHANDIGARH CONGRESS LIST OF 16 OUT ■ Manish Tewari fielded from Mullana from Ambala (SC) Chandigarh, Vikramaditya from Mandi and Vinod Sultanpuri from Shimla (SC) ■ Deepender likely to be fielded from Rohtak, Kumari Selja from Sirsa (SC) and Varun ■ In Punjab, Charanjit Channi likely Vikramaditya is the son of six-term former Chief Minister late Virbhadra Singh and state Congress president Pratibha Singh, who is also the sitting Mandi MP The . from Jalandhar (SC), Dharamvira Gandhi from Patiala, Gurjit Aujla from Amritsar, Amar Singh from Fatehgarh Sahib and Sukhpal Khaira from Sangrur 6 STABBED TO DEATH IN SYDNEY MALL HORROR a Bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta ■ A Bench led by the CJI had on April 10 agreed to consider request for urgent hearing of his plea Congress also announces candidates for nine Lok Sabha constituencies from Odisha and four from Gujarat. The CEC meeting, chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and attended by Sonia Gandhi, among others, is learnt to have arrived at consensus over fielding Deepender Singh Hooda from Rohtak, Kumari Selja from Sirsa (SC) and Varun Mullana from Ambala (SC) constituencies. An official announcement regarding the selection of these candidates is expected to be made tomorrow. Deepender, a Rajya Sabha MP had , won from Rohtak in 2009 and 2014. He was defeated by continued on page 6 SAD’s first list of 7 candidates out, jolt to Dhindsa CHANDIGARH: The SAD on Sat- for an urgent hearing of his petition after senior counsel AM Singhvi mentioned his petition for immediate listing. Singhvi had said the high court’s order was based on certain material that was suppressed from the petitioner. The ED had arrested Kejriwal on March 21 after the Delhi High Court refused to grant him protection from coercive action by the probe agency in the money laundering case. continued on page 6 BLAMES PAST POLICIES Let us be honest that the one country that is very, very difficult is Pakistan, and for that, we should only introspect why. One reason for this is us (old policies). ❝ S Jaishankar, EAM deliberation, nothing fruitful came out,” he said. Jaishankar said terrorists should not feel that as they were across the border, no one could touch them. “Terrorists do not play by any rules. The response to terrorists cannot have any rules,” he said. On change in India’s foreign policy, the minister said, “We have continued on page 6 Megha Engg, 2nd biggest poll bond buyer, booked New Delhi, April 13 The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered an FIR against Hyderabadbased Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL), in an alleged bribery case. The company was the second-biggest buyer of electoral bonds worth Rs 966 crore. CBI FIR against 10 officials of other units Eight officials of the NISP and NMDC and two officials of MECON were also named in the FIR for receiving alleged bribes of around Rs 78 lakh in clearing Rs 174 crore bills of Megha Engineering in connection with works related to the Jagdalpur Integrated Steel Plant, a news agency reported. Megha Engineering had donated the highest amount of about Rs 586 crore to the BJP according to the EC data , released on March 21. continued on page 6 It’s Vikramaditya vs Kangana; Tewari from Chd Child rights panel puts NEW DELHI: The Centre has asked all gas-based power-generating stations to operationalise plants from May 1 to June 30 in view of a rise in the power demand due to a likely prolonged heat wave this year. BACK PAGE Action against terror cannot be based on rules, says Jaishankar Shocked visitors outside Westfield Shopping Centre in Sydney after the incident. AP/PTI INSIDE urday announced seven candidates for the LS elections in Punjab with a big surprise by ignoring the claims of former MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa’s family from the Sangrur seat. The party has instead fielded Badal family loyalist Iqbal Singh Jhunda from Sangrur. Cheema will contest from Gurdaspur, former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra from Anandpur Sahib and former Dera Bassi MLA NK Sharma from Patiala. INSIDE rider on admissions to Mahendragarh school Tribune News Service Mahendragarh, April 13 Taking note of the Kanina bus accident that left six schoolchildren dead, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairman Priyank Kanoongo today reached GL Public School and pulled up officials of the Education and Transport Departments for alleged negligence in complying with safety norms. Kanoongo inspected school buses and asked Deputy Commissioner Monika Gupta to penalise District Education Officer Sunil Dutt for his alleged failure in getting the safety norms implemented. He said no new admission would take place in the school until the safety issues were addressed. The NCPCR chief also asked the district administration to conduct a safety audit of all schools and impose penalties on those found flouting norms. “A penalty of 1 per Wants mgmt to meet safety guidelines first cent can be slapped for the first violation, 3 per cent for the second and 5 per cent for the third,” he said. He also issued directions for the formation of parent-teacher association and school management committee in all schools. Interacting with the media later, Kanoongo said the investigation should be done in the right direction and the culprits punished so that such incidents did not recur. “The commission will conduct its probe and hand over the report to the Central Government,” he said. VHP LEADER SHOT DEAD IN NANGAL Nangal: VHP president of the Nangal unit Vikas Bagga was shot dead by unidentified assailants here on Saturday. Bagga was known for his vociferous comments on Hindutva in the region. The VHP leader was sitting in his confectionary shop on Railway Road when two youths arrived their VIKAS BAGGA around 5 pm and shot him in the head. ‘Jallianwala toll 57 more than recorded’ ‘Health drink’ not defined under norms, Delay in forensic reports hits Baddi factory fire probe GNDU team updates 1919 massacre toll to 434 after two-year study SOLAN: Non-receipt of reports of forensic science experts from state and central laboratories have delayed the completion of the magisterial probe into the fire incident which left nine industrial workers dead in a perfume manufacturing unit, NR Aromas, at Jharmajri in the Barotiwala area of Baddi on February 2. Eight of the nine deceased were migrants and one hailed from Chamba. Additional Deputy Commissioner, Solan, Ajay Yadav, who is probing the case, confirmed that the forensic science reports were awaited. INSIDE Neha Saini VARIED ACCOUNTS & LISTS Tribune news Service Amritsar, April 13 More than a century has passed, but the ambiguity over the exact number of martyrs in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre continues to pique interest of researchers. In the latest development, a research team of Jallianwala Bagh Chair at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) has found that 57 more persons had died in the 1919 massacre. The official list released by the Punjab Government in 2021 had mentioned that 381 persons died in the incident, ■ A research project by Amrit- Prof Amandeep Bal, who heads Jallianwala Bagh Chair at GNDU, Amritsar but four names were removed later due to duplication, leaving the count at 377. With the addition of 57 more names, sar’s Partition Museum and Delhi’s Art and Culture Heritage Trust, in 2021, put the toll at 547. It identified 502 martyrs ■ The Hunter Commission, constituted in October 1919, put the figure at 379 ■ According to British government estimates, 381 persons died and 1,200 were injured in the massacre the number now stands at 434. For the past two years, Dr Amandeep Kaur Bal, chairperson, Jallianwala Bagh Chair, and Dr Dilbag Singh, had been working on the research project commissioned by the Punjab Government to identify, verify and document the number of dead and wounded in the tragedy. In the study carried out on the door-to-door basis across Punjab, Haryana and HP researchers met the , claimants and verified their supportive documents. The research has been documented in the form of a book, which will be released at a commemorative event at the GNDU on April 16. continued on page 6 Today’s issue is of 20 pages, including six-page Spectrum. remove Bournvita from category: Centre New Delhi, April 13 The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued an advisory to the e-commerce companies, directing them to remove drinks and beverages, including Bournvita, from the category of “health drinks”, on their portal and platforms. This decision comes following the findings by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights that there is no “health drink” defined under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006. The notification dated April 10 said: “National Commission for Protection of Child ADVISORY TO E-COMMERCE PORTALS ■ Last month, National Com- mission for Protection of Child Rights took cognisance of reports claiming Bournvita contained high levels of sugar ■ Commission in its finding held ‘health drink’ is not defined under FSS Act or rules submitted by FSSAI and Mondelez India Food Pvt Ltd ■ In its advisory, Centre asked ecommerce firms/portals to remove drinks and beverages, including Bournvita, from ‘health drink’ category on their platforms Rights (NCPCR), a statutory body constituted under Section (3) of the Commission of Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005, after its inquiry under Section 14 of the CrPC Act, 2005, concluded continued on page 6