20122024-TT-01.qxd 12/19/2024 READY TO MEET TRUMP ON UKRAINE: PUTIN WORLD /thetribunechd 11:30 PM Page 1 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 144 NO. 351 | 14 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881  HIMACHAL PRADESH friday | 20 december 2024 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com Parl sees new low, 2 BJP MPs hurt in scuffle; Rahul booked Bid to deflect attention from Shah’s remarks against Ambedkar: Cong Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, December 19 Parliament on Thursday witnessed a new low as MPs of the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress clashed, leading to the hospitalisation of two BJP lawmakers and an FIR against Rahul Gandhi for an alleged assault on the duo. After a day of unprecedented chaos that began with counter protests by rivals over the legacy of BR Ambedkar, the BJP accused Rahul of displaying “un-Indian conduct by pushing and shoving its MPs”. The BJP said Rahul was unsuitable for the high constitutional position of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The BJP’s allegation was that Rahul “deliberately cut through a mass of protesting BJP MPs to enter Parliament today and in the process grievously injured Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi, Farrukhabad MP Mukesh Rajput and came too close for comfort to one of its women MPs, Phangnon Konyak, who complained about the incident to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. The Congress, led by its president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul, denied all charges, saying it was the BJP’s attempt to deflect attention from the “disrespect Home Minister Amit Shah showed to Injured BJP MP Pratap Sarangi claimed Rahul pushed an MP who fell on him in the Parliament complex. PTI SPEAKER OM BIRLA’S DIKTAT AGAINST DHARNA AT PARL GATES After political protests turned ugly, LS Speaker Om Birla on Thursday banned demonstrations by MPs and political parties at any of the gates of Parliament. “The LS Speaker has issued strict instructions that no political party, MP or groups of members will hold any dharna at the building gates of Parliament House,” a source said. the architect of the Constitution, BR Ambedkar”. Kharge and Rahul reiterated their demand for Shah’s apology and resignation and said the Congress would launch a nationwide movement on the matter. Rahul also said he did not KHARGE SUBMITS PRIVILEGE NOTICE IN RS AGAINST SHAH Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday submitted a privilege notice against Home Minister Amit Shah for his remarks against BR Ambedkar. Kharge alleged the remarks were an insult to the architect of the Constitution and amounted to breach of privilege and contempt of the House. push anyone and was, in fact, prevented from entering Parliament by BJP MPs who, countering him, said: “Rahul did not take the side passage to enter the House and deliberately came through the agitating BJP members.” Starting early this morning, Hizbcommander among 5 ultras killed in Kulgam the political opponents indulged in competitive sloganeering in Parliament seeking one another’s apology. While the BJP said the Congress had always undermined Ambedkar and used his name for politics, the Congress said the continued on page 8 Curbs on foreigners back in Manipur IMPHAL: Adil Akhzer Srinagar, December 19 Five militants, including a top “commander”, of Hizbul Mujahideen were killed in a gun battle between militants and security forces in Kulgam. The police said the encounter broke out in the Kadder area in the morning in which two Army men were also injured. The incident took place on a day when Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a security review meeting on J&K in New Delhi. After a tip-off that a group of militants was present in Kadder village, a search operation was launched. The militants fired at the security forces, triggering an encounter. DIG Javid Iqbal Matoo, identified the militants as Farooq Ahmad Bhat, Mushtaq Itoo, Irfan Yaqoob, Adil Hajam and Yasir Javid. Bhat was active since 2015 and was the commander of the outfit in J&K, the officer said. A forensic team at the blast site in Gurdaspur on Thursday. TRIBUNE PHOTO Another explosion in Punjab, 7th in 25 days Gurdaspur, December 19 A blast took place on Wednesday night outside the Bakshiwal police chowki in the district, the police said on Thursday. In a post on social media, the Khalistan Zindabad Force has claimed the responsibility. The police said a team of forensic experts reached the spot to investigate the incident. Kalanaur DSP Gurvinder Singh Chandi said, “We have launched an investiga- Terror outfit claims role in Gurdaspur blast tion. Once the forensic team gives its report, it will be clear what exactly happened.” Despite seven blasts near as many police stations in the last 25 days, a senior officer claimed there was no intelligence failure. The Bakshiwal chowki was closed 15 days continued on page 8 The MHA has reimposed the Protected Area Permit in Manipur in view of security concerns arising out of influx from neighbouring countries, a state government statement said. The movement of foreigners visiting Manipur will be closely monitored and they are required to obtain the necessary permit. The curbs have been reimposed in Nagaland and Mizoram as well. — PTI Non-veg tiffin: HC relief for 3 minors PRAYAGRAJ: The Allahabad High Court has come to the aid of three minor children, who were expelled from a school for allegedly bringing non-vegetarian food in their tiffin, and asked the district magistrate to ensure they are admitted to another school within two weeks. Petitioners’ counsel submitted that the right to education of the children had been affected by the school’s conduct. — PTI Blow to boxing as used syringes, empty vials litter washroom of Hisar stadium Deepender Deswal MINISTER VOWS ACTION Tribune News Service Hisar, December 19 Used syringes and empty vials stuffed behind flush tanks of a washroom deal a blow to the claims of “successful” conduct of the state boxing championship at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) here this week. The fifth Elite Men Haryana State Boxing Championship, organised by the Haryana Boxing Sangh — affiliated with the Boxing Federation of India and Haryana Olympic Association — concluded yesterday. The three-day event saw 250 boxers from 22 districts and If this has happened, ❝unfortunate. The it is government will take strict action against elements indulging in use of banned substances in sports. Gaurav Gautam, HARYANA SPORTS MINISTER << Empty injection vials found inside a washroom of Giri Centre Sports Stadium at the HAU, Hisar. three Sports Authority of India (SAI) centres in action. The Tribune team found empty vials and syringes in the washroom of the Giri Centre Sports Stadium at the HAU — telltale signs of the OMAR MEETS SHAH, RAISES STATEHOOD ISSUE J&K use of performance-enhancing substances by some of the participants. Asked about the presence of syringes, some players and coaches admit that doping has been rampant at state-level tournaments across disciplines. While coaches are aware of the practice, the pressure to perform and get results remains the driver, say sources. Haryana Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam has termed this “unfortunate” and said the “government will take strict action against elements indulging in doping in sports”. Ravinder Pannu, general secretary, Haryana Boxing Sangh, acknowledges the dark reality of doping during tournaments. “The matter was brought to my attention. I inspected the washrooms and found this stuff. We raised the matter with the participants and even continued on page 8 c m y b