NEW DELHI 11 AUGUST 2024 SUNDAY `12 PAGES 24  facebook/TheMorningStandard  X.com/TheMornStandard https://epaper.morningstandard.in Children of Rage MAGAZINE LOOK BACK IN FEAR Pushpesh Pant Sumeet Bhasin Ravi Shankar Balaji Vittal S V K R I S H N A C H A I TA N YA @ Chennai Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with a child affected by the landslide, at a hospital in Wayanad | PTI P O O J A N A I R @ Kalpetta I would like to assure the survivors and victims that they are not alone in this time of distress. The nation, the Centre, the state, everyone, is with them... Funds will not be a constraint for rehabilitation — Narendra Modi A detailed assessment of the damage is underway and the initial assessment is that the loss incurred was to the tune of thousands of crores. The state would submit to the Centre a memorandum — Pinarayi Vijayan PRIME Minister Narendra Modi visited the landslide-ravaged areas of Wayanad on Saturday and promised all support in the relief and rehabilitation efforts. Stating that the Centre will stand with the state government in the rebuilding, the prime minister said funds will not be a constraint for the rehabilitation of survivors of the devastating landslides that swallowed Chooralmala and Mundakkai villages. Modi, who undertook an aerial survey of the disasterstricken areas, later visited the landslide spots at Chooralmala and Mundakkai. He walked through some of the affected areas for a closer look at the devastation. He also met survivors at a hospital and a relief camp, lending an ear to their concerns. As per official records, the July 30 landslides have claimed 226 lives so far, with more than 130 missing. “The country and the government are with the survi- vors. We wish to let the affected people know that they are not alone,” he said after the review meeting at the collectorate conference hall in Kalpetta. Modi said he has sought a detailed memorandum from the state government on the extent of damage and loss. “The Central government will act favourably once we get the memorandum,” he said. The PM assured that both the state and the Centre will join hands for the rehabilitation package. Central ministers and officials have already had a round of talks with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the state officials. Later in the day, Pinarayi said the state government has requested the PM for financial help for rehabilitation. A note has been handed over to the PM, he added. The prime minister said he was in contact with the state government ever since the tragedy occurred and that all the arms of the Central government were mobilised in the rescue and relief operations. ‘Gender-neutral’: HC allows charges against women under Pocso Act S H E K H A R S I N G H @ New Delhi R A J E S H K U M A R T H A K U R @ New Delhi THE government on Saturday named Finance Secretary TV Somanathan as the new cabinet secretary for a two-year tenure. He will succeed incumbent Rajeev Gauba who completes his five-year term for the top bureaucratic post this month-end. Somanathan’s appointment will come into effect from August 30. Somanathan is an IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet issued a notification announcing the new assignment for Somanathan. The official communiqué mentions that Somanathan has also been appointed as OSD in the cabinet secretariat from the date he joins the assignment till he takes over as Cabinet Secretary . Regarded as a bright officer, Somanathan also served previously as joint secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs from 2010-11 and thereafter as joint secretary and additional secretary to the Prime Minister from 2015 to 2017. THE Delhi High Court has ruled that both men and women can be prosecuted for “penetrative sexual assault” and “aggravated penetrative sexual assault” under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (Pocso Act). Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani clarified that the term ‘he’ in Section 3 of the Pocso Act should be interpreted inclusively applying to all offenders regardless of gender. Justice Bhambhani emphasised that ‘he’ should not be narrowly construed to only refer to males, as it is not explicitly de- fined in the Pocso Act. Instead, the court relied on Section 8 of the IPC for guidance, highlighting that the Pocso Act was designed to protect children from sexual offences irrespective of an offender’s gender. The court noted that the provisions of the Pocso Act encompass a range of acts beyond the insertion of a penis, including the insertion of objects or body parts. As a result, it would be unreasonable to limit the definition of penetrative sexual assault to penile penetration alone. Comparing the Pocso Act’s definitions with those under Section 375 of the IPC, Justice Waddling Through Murky Waters Shampa Dhar-Kamath Prabhu Chawla Shankkar Aiyar Namrata Joshi Fewer villages, FULL SUPPORT more reserve TO REHAB: MODI forests in ESA THE final draft notification issued by the Union environment ministry on July 31 on declaration of ecologically sensitive areas (ESA) in the Western Ghats shows that some of the states, including Tamil Nadu, have proposed to include more reserve forest areas in the ESA than ‘highly vulnerable’ non-forest private land holdings suggested by the Kasturirangan report. The reluctance by the state governments to leave private lands — where extensive human settlements have come up over the years — off the hook may lead to change in land-use pattern in the already fragmented hilly regions in the future and may trigger more Wayanad-like disasters, experts said. The July 31 notification came just a day after the deadly Kerala landslides. A High-Level Working Group (HLWG) led by K Kasturirangan, which submitted its report to the Union environment ministry in April 2013, has recommended notification of 6,914 sq km area in Western Ghats, including 135 villages in Tamil Nadu, as ecologically sensitive areas. But, according to sources, the state may have left out 50 villages with substantial human settlements from being designated as ESA and instead included reserve forests in the ESA category to comply with the land mandate. The suspected error, intentional or otherwise, was made in 2013 as seen in the first draft notification, and continues till date. The Kasturirangan report said that the demarcation unit of ESA must be village. As per the sixth draft, while all the other five states — Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Gujarat and Maharashtra — have listed out the names of the villages that are to be designated as ESA, Tamil Nadu has allegedly omitted several village names and included just the reserve forest areas. Advocate Ritwick Dutta, who specialises in environmental law, told this newspaper that reserve forest areas are already protected under the Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980. “If only reserve forests are shown as ESA and villages are left out, then the whole purpose of notifying ESA in Western Ghats will be defeated. Private plantations, villages, and other private patta lands are the ones that should be included.” The Burden to Belong EXCLUSIVE VOICES Her Mother’s Daughter Somanathan to replace Gauba as cabinet secretary Shaken, Not Stirred PLUS: 12 PAGES Bhambhani observed that while the IPC specifies “man,” the Pocso Act refers to a “person,” indicating a broader scope that includes both genders. Therefore, the court upheld that offences under Sections 3 and 5 of the Pocso Act apply regardless of the offender’s gender. This decision arose from a case involving Sundari Gautam, who challenged charges of “aggravated penetrative sexual assault” under Section 6 of the Pocso Act. The argument that the Act’s definitions implied only males could be held accountable was rejected, affirming the charge against Gautam. AMMA SPEAKS ‘I Had Set Myself Up for Failure’ The Answer is Compassion 2 soldiers killed in encounter in poll-bound J&K F AYA Z W A N I @ Srinagar TWO soldiers were killed while three other jawans and two civilians were injured in an encounter with militants in the forest area of Kokernag in pollbound Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Saturday The militants . are said to be involved in the recent attacks on the Army in Doda, A police official said acting on specific inputs about the presence of militants, a joint contingent of the Army, police and CRPF laid siege around the Ahlan Gagarmandu forest area in Kokernag on Saturday afternoon. Kashmir Tigers, which is said to be an offshoot of Jaish-e-Mohammad, claimed its fighters are involved in the ongoing encounter. It is believed that two to three militants are trapped in the Army siege. The gunfight is taking place in a high altitude area with thick under growth, large boulders and nallahs. The terrain poses a serious challenge to the jawans, a defence spokesman said. RESCUERS SAY 93 DEAD IN ISRAELI STRIKE Rescuers in Gaza said an Israeli air strike on a religious school housing displaced Palestinians killed 93 people on Saturday | P9 Bangladesh CJ forced to resign are rudderless literally Prof ,” Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, a ON a day when Chief Justice political commentator in of Bangladesh Obaidul Has- B a n g l a d e s h , t o l d t h i s san’s forced resignanewspaper. tion dominated the On Saturday Chief , news cycle, rampant Justice Obaidul Haslawlessness, protests san along with five seeking the return of appellate judges were exiled former prime forced to quit by stuminister Sheikh Hasidents as there was apna, Hindu minorities prehension that they demanding their could call a meeting Obaidul Hassan right to safety and coto declare the interim existence, and Chigovernment unconnese snooping were stitutional. High other issues that re- Our chief justice Court Judge Syed Required interim leader faat Ahmed is likely resigned a few Muhammad Yunus’ minutes back. His to replace Hassan. immediate attention. resignation letter Similarly, the vicehas already ATMs have also run chancellor of Dhaka dry and businesses reached the law University was asked ministry are yet to take off in to step down. the riot-torn nation. Meanwhile, Hindus — Prof Asif Nazrul, “The way things from all 64 districts law adviser of the interim govt are at present in got together at ShahBangladesh where bag seeking protection three major powers are at for themselves and their places play there is nothing but cha- of worship. At the border vil, os. China has deployed three lage of Sitalkuchi, thousands ships in the Indian Ocean of Hindus urged the BSF to let near the Bay of Bengal. We them cross over to India. P9 Y E S H I S E L I @ New Delhi PRESSINTAKE Rape, murder of doctor in Kolkata hospital triggers massive stir | P8 Intense lobbying in TDP for nominated posts in Andhra corporations | P4 Panic-buying in Japan cities over fears of mega earthquake | P9 Numerical grading in appraisal forms of Himachal officers | P8 EXPRESS READ Jaishankar reaffirms 3 engineers suspended Fugitive gangster’s Delhi’s help to Male in CM bungalow case brother in police net Foreign minister S Jaishankar met Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu in Male on Saturday and reiterated India’s commitment to bilateral ties. Jaishankar’s visit to the Maldives is the first high-level trip from Delhi after Muizzu took charge in November last year. P7 The housing ministry has suspended three engineers—Ashok Kumar Rajdev, Pradeep Kumar Parmar and Abhishek Raj—for their role in the alleged irregularities in the construction of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s official residence at 6 Flag Staff Road. P3 The Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested a cousin and close aide of fugitive gangster Himanshu Bhau, an official said on Saturday. The accused identified as Vicky alias Sonu was absconding in two cases. Vicky was arrested from his village Ritoli in Rohtak, police said. P3 CREDIBLE DETERRENT Govt green light for desi nuclear-powered submarine expected this year Indian Navy’s at present has 16 conventional submarines, most of which are over 20 years old THE NUCLEAR EDGE Jan 1988 Indian Navy acquired INS Chakra, its first nuclear submarine from the Soviet Union on lease INS Arihant First indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, was launched on July 26, 2009 INS Arihant’s nuclear reactor activated in August 2013 INS Arihant inducted in the Indian Navy in 2016 +350 130 China has India’s more than fleet 350 warships strength submarines PROJECT APPROVAL FOR FIRST NUCLEAR-POWERED SUBMARINE EXPECTED THIS YEAR M AYA N K S I N G H @ New Delhi A government green light to enhance the attack capability of the Indian Navy is due this year through the manufacture of nuclear-powered submarines. It is expected to serve as a deterrent for the Chinese Navy’s increasing foray into the Indian Ocean Region. This ambitious project is going to be indigenous. “The submarine will be more than 90% indigenous,” sources said. “By the end of the year, I think we should get the goahead for indigenous construction, as policy makers at every level have shown their inclina- trials of its Fujian aircraft cartion towards the project,” one rier weighing a whopping of the sources said. “The Chi- 80,000 metric tons. The PLA alnese are unbelievably fast. We ready has two active carriers can take them lightly at our — the 66,000-ton Shandong and own peril,” they added. the 60,000-ton Liaoning. Since 2008, the Chi“If any Chinese airnese Navy has been rapcraft car rier comes Sunday close by, our nuclear idly deploying various Special submarine will serve as assets, including attack submarines, in the Ina deterrent because it dian Ocean region on can stay under water for anti-piracy duty Prolonged . close to a month.” deployments help gain familiThere are two types of nuarity and confidence. Addition- clear submarines, SSN and ally, Chinese survey vessels SSBN. SS stands for submersihave been continuously operat- ble ship; SSN is a nuclear-powing in the region. ered submarine; and SSBN is a In May China completed sea nuclear-powered ballistic mis, sile submarine. India already has SSBNs. They made the country’s nuclear no-first use policy operational. SSNs have multiple mission utility like anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, besides intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. SSBNs offer assured second strike in the event of a nuclear attack. India’s foray in the nuclear submarine domain began with the induction of INS Arihant. It is suitable for the policy of no-first use of nuclear weapons with maintenance of minimum credible deterrence, as part of the nuclear triad.