31102025-TTC-01.qxd 10/31/2025 12:45 AM Page 1 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 9 NO. 300 | 16 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881 OZ TEEN CRICKETER DIES AFTER GETTING HIT BY BALL IN NECK SPORT /thetribunechd 2 GOVT TEACHERS DISMISSED OVER ‘TERROR LINKS’ J&K CAN’T DENY INSURANCE OVER ROUTE DEVIATION, SAYS SC BUSINESS CANADA TO RELEASE COMMEMORATIVE STAMP FOR SIKH SOLDIERS BACK PAGE friday | 31 october 2025 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com US waives sanctions on Chabahar for 6 months Co-developed by India, Iranian port key to trade with Af Ujwal Jalali MEA: Studying New Delhi, October 30 implications of India has secured a fresh sixmonth waiver from the US to US sanctions on continue operations at Iran’s strategic Chabahar Port, Russian oil firms restoring a crucial link for Tribune News Service regional connectivity that had come under threat following the recent withdrawal of the exemption. “We have been granted exemption for a six-month period on the sanctions that were applicable to Chabahar,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a briefing on Thursday. The waiver comes barely six weeks after Washington revoked India’s earlier exemption, which was set to lapse on September 29, bringing the port and associated activities under the ambit of its sanctions imposed on Iran. The reversal of the decision marks a diplomatic success for New Delhi, which had mounted sustained effort to convince Washington of Chabahar’s humanitarian and strategic significance. The Chabahar project, jointly developed by India and Iran, has been a crucial link for humanitarian supplies and trade with Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan. Washington had twice — in 2018 and 2019 — formally conveyed to India that the modernisation of Chabahar would Tribune News Service Randhir Jaiswal BACK AFGHAN SOVEREIGNTY: MEA Amid Kabul’s ongoing border conflict with Pakistan, India on Thursday said it was committed to the “sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan”. The MEA said Pakistan seemed to think that it had the right to practise cross-border terrorism with impunity, but its neighbours found it “unacceptable”. be exempt from sanctions, given its significance as a gateway for aid to Afghanistan. Strategically located on the Gulf of Oman, Chabahar has long been viewed by India as a counter to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port, operated by China. Last May, when India and Iran signed a 10-year agreement to further develop Chabahar, the US had within hours cautioned of “potential sanctions” on countries pursuing business with Tehran. India formally took over port operations at the end of 2018, continued on page 8 New Delhi, October 30 India on Thursday said it was studying the implications of the fresh US sanctions on two Russian oil companies even as New Delhi reaffirmed that its energy decisions would continue to be guided by the imperative of ensuring affordable and reliable supplies for its 1.4 billion citizens. “We are studying the implications of these sanctions. As we have said before, the decisions that we take naturally take into account the evolving dynamics in the global market,” said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. He said India’s position on the larger question of energy sourcing was well known. “We are guided by the imperative to secure affordable energy from diverse sources for meeting the energy security requirements of 1.4 billion people,” the MEA official said. Jaiswal said New Delhi would “make its own assessment” of the implications of the sanctions on the Russian firms. Delhi riots a regime change plot, police tell court Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 30 Alleging a “regime change operation” under the guise of a “peaceful protest”, the Delhi Police on Thursday opposed the bail pleas of activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and four others arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, in the larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 northeast Delhi riots. In a voluminous affidavit filed on the eve of hearing on the bail pleas of Khalid, Imam, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, Shifa Ur Rehman and Md Saleem Khan, the police alleged that the accused conspired to strike at the sovereignty and integrity of the country by a “regime change operation” executed under the guise of a “peaceful protest”. The alleged offences involved a deliberate attempt to destabilise the state which warrant “jail and not bail”, the police said, asserting they had collected ocular, documentary and technical evidence against the accused showing their intrinsic, deep-rooted Oppose bail to Umar & Sharjeel, say they’re playing victim card Umar Khalid Sharjeel Imam and fervent complicity in engineering nationwide riots on communal lines. The criminal conspiracy for the riots was hatched for achieving the final regime change goal, the police alleged. It was a premeditated conspiracy to coincide with the then US President Donald Trump’s visit to India, to attract international media attention and portray the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as a pogrom against the Muslim community. A Bench of Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice NV Anjaria, which had on October 27 asked Additional Solicitor General SV Raju to consider if bail could be granted on the ground of delay, will Trump cuts tariffs on China after Xi 4 Indian firms allowed to meeting, to get rare earths in return importChinarareearths President Donald Trump with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping before their meeting at Gimhae International Airport in South Korea on Thursday. AP/PTI Aboard Air Force One, Oct 30 President Donald Trump described his face-to-face with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday as a roaring success, saying he would cut tariffs on China, while Beijing had agreed to allow the export of rare earth elements and start buying American soybeans. The President told reporters aboard Air Force One that the US would lower tariffs implemented earlier this year as punishment on China for its selling of chemicals used to make fentanyl from 20 per cent to 10 per cent. That brings the total combined tariff rate on China down from 57 per cent to 47 per cent. “I guess on the scale from 0 to 10, with ten being the best, I would say the meeting was a continued on page 8 New Delhi, October 30 Four Indian companies have received a licence to import rare earth magnets from China, signalling relaxation in Beijing’s stance after months of stringent restrictions. Rare earths are a group of 17 critical elements essential for manufacturing components used in electric vehicles, aircraft engines, electronics and military radars, among others. They have become one of China’s most powerful tools of leverage amid its trade tensions with the US. The import licence issued to the four firms — DE Diamond, Hitachi, Continental India and Jay Ushin — comes with certain restrictions, including a ban on exporting Chinese-origin magnets to the US or using them for defence purpose. IndiastunOzinrecordchase,enterfinal JusticeKantisnextCJI,to Deepankar Sharda Tribune News Service Jemimah Rodrigues slammed an unbeaten 127 off 134 balls. REUTERS Navi Mumbai, October 30 Tears of joy, warm hugs and the Indian women’s team prevailing over the six-time world champions Australia — the evening at DY Patil Stadium was filled with emotions, tense moments and finally, happy faces for India. Jemimah Rodrigues, who had been battling anxiety before the start of the tournament, went on a rampage and smashed an unbeaten 127 off 134 balls, with 14 boundaries, as India handed Australia their first defeat of the tournament — and a big one — in the semifinal, while chasing down a massive 339-run target. “It was important for me to see India win. I didn’t celebrate my half-century or century, but I finally had a sigh of relief after we won and entered the final,” said Jemimah. Record- ing the highest-ever chase in the tournament’s history, the Indian women began on a shaky note, but Jemimah, alongside Harmanpreet Kaur (89), staged a perfect finish. It turned out to be India’s biggest victory over their ace rivals, with nine balls to spare. The team will now face South Africa at the same venue on November 2. continued on page 8 PM:RJD,Conglikeoil& Capt warns Punjab voters against water, can never unite making ‘another mistake’ in 2027 Aditi Tandon Balwant Garg Tribune News Service Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 30 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the opposition RJD and the Congress had come together in their “lust for power”, but were as different as oil and water, which could never unite. “The real news in the Bihar elections is not the abuses being hurled at me, but the scale of differences between the RJD and the Congress. Their alliance is like that of oil and water. They are in one glass, but can never truly merge and mix. RJD workers are pushing and shoving Congress workers, and Congress workers are doing the same to those from the RJD,” Modi said while addressing rallies in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur and later at Chhapra. Describing the opposition CM candidate Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD and Congress’ Rahul Gandhi as “royal scions out on bail”, Modi asked the state voters if they would “ever again Faridkot, October 30 BJP leader and former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today asked Punjab to give the BJP a chance and help it win power in the 2027 Assembly elections. Addressing a public rally here, he cautioned Punjabis against making “another mistake in 2027”. Hitting out at the AAP government, he accused PM Modi with Chirag Paswan. ANI RAHUL: PM SCARED OF CONFRONTING TRUMP Congress’ Rahul Gandhi targeted PM Modi in poll-bound Bihar on Thursday, alleging he was scared of confronting US President Donald Trump. INSIDE permit them to plunder Bihar”. “Two royal scions out on bail came together yesterday and tried to show cohesion, as if there are no differences between them. But the reality is different. They have come together only in their lust for power, to capture power at any cost so that these corrupt families can again loot Bihar. Will you allow these scions on bail continued on page 8 BIHAR BATTLE take up the matter on Friday. However, the Delhi Police said no ground for bail had been made by the petitioners. Accusing them of deliberately delaying the trial, the police said they were playing the “victim card” to seek their release on the grounds of prolonged incarceration. In the present case, “bail can’t be granted in view of the extreme severe gravity of the offence”, the affidavit submitted. “It doesn’t lie with the petitioners who for mala fide and mischievous reasons have continued on page 8 Says give BJP a chance it of plunging the state into “lawlessness, drug crisis and economic despair”. He said the state needed a government that could effectively advocate Punjab’s issues with the Centre. He blamed the previous Congress and Akali regimes for the “economic decline” of the state. Asserting that only a BJP gov- ernment could strengthen both Punjab and India on the world stage, he said major industries would only invest once law and order was restored. He criticised CM Bhagwant Mann’s governance, likening his programmes to a “comedy show”. He accused Pakistan of “flooding the border areas with drugs to weaken India’s defence by destroying its youth”. continued on page 8 take charge on Nov 24 Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 30 President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday appointed Justice Surya Kant — the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court — as the next Chief Justice of India. Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal took to X to break the news. “In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Justice Surya Kant as the Chief Justice of India with effect from November 24. I convey my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to him,” Meghwal wrote. Chief Justice of India BR Gavai had on Monday recommended Justice Kant for appointment as his successor and the 53rd CJI. Justice Kant succeeds CJI Gavai, who is due to retire on November 23 on attaining the age of 65. He will be administered the oath of office on November 24 and will hold the office for nearly 15 months till Justice Surya Kant February 9, 2027. Justice Kant brings a wealth of experience spanning two decades on the Bench, marked by landmark verdicts on abrogation of Article 370, free speech and gender equality. Born in a middle-class family on February 10, 1962, in Hisar district of Haryana, Justice Kant obtained a bachelor’s degree in law in 1984 from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak. He has the distinction of standing ‘first class first’ in his Master’s degree in law in 2011 from Kurukshetra University. He earned the distinction of being appointed the youngest Advocate General of Haryana on July 7, 2000, at the age of 38. Beijing eases stance after months of curbs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that “some Indian firms had received the licence for importing rare earth magnets from China”. India is also pursuing domestic production and processing capacity for rare earths to reduce dependency on China. The Centre has approved a Rs 7,300 crore scheme with a target to produce about 6,000 metric tonnes of rare earths annually in seven years. This would cover much of India’s projected demand of rare earth magnets needed for electric vehicles, and renewable energy and defence industries, said an official. — TNS CBSE Class X & XII exams from Feb 17 NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Thursday released the final date sheet for the 2026 board examinations for Class X and XII. For the first time, the date sheets have been issued nearly 110 days ahead of the start of the exams. According to the schedule, the examinations for both classes will begin on February 17, 2026. The Class X board exams will conclude on March 10, while the Class XII exams will end on April 9, 2026. BACK PAGE OrdertorazeShimla mosque upheld SHIMLA: The Shimla district court has upheld the decision of the Shimla Municipal Commissioner’s court ordering the demolition of the Sanjauli mosque, ruling that the entire structure is illegal. The order was passed by Additional District and Sessions Judge Yajuvinder Singh on Thursday. The court dismissed the appeals filed by the Himachal Pradesh Waqf Board and the Sanjauli Mosque Committee. INSIDE Only 39 convictions in 650 cases, justice eludes 1984 riot victims Barely 20 cases pending| Survivors wait as appeals stretch into decades Shekhar Singh Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 30 Forty-one years ago, Delhi burned, not from a foreign enemy, but from within. Between October 31 and November 7, 1984, mobs roamed the streets hunting down Sikh men, torching homes and setting gurdwaras ablaze. Officially, 2,733 Sikhs were killed in INDIRA GANDHI’S DEATH ANNIV TODAY ■ 2,733 Estimated deaths in Delhi (Oct 31–Nov 7, 1984) ■ 650 FIRs registered in Delhi ■ 362 Chargesheets filed ■ 39 Convictions achieved the capital even as survivors say the toll was over 3,000. Over four decades later, most of the “guilty” still walk free. ■ 300+ Cases closed for want of evidence ■ 20 Major cases still pending (trial/appeal) (SOURCE: AHUJA COMMITTEE) Of the 650 cases registered, chargesheets were filed in 362, but only 39 ended in conviction. Nearly 300 cases collapsed for want of evidence, Today’s issue is of 16 pages, including four-page Jalandhar Tribune. c m y b witnesses or police will. Now, barely 20 cases remain alive, dragging on in Delhi’s trial courts or pending appeal in the high court. The numbers tell a story of a democracy that forgot its dead. This week, as the city marks the anniversary of Indira Gandhi’s assassination and the violence that followed, the courts are still sifting through continued on page 8 Burnt cars after riots over then PM Indira Gandhi’s assassination. FILE