FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI ‘Climate situation is alarming’ WORLD Seat-sharing to be finalised in 4 days: EPS after meeting Shah Page 8 Iran hits Kuwaiti oil refinery, while Israel hits Tehran Page 7 Page 9 Police forcibly evict scribes, staff from UNI office, seal premises STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 20 March I n an unprecedented development in the history of independent India's media, the premises of the country's prestigious news agency United News of India were forcibly vacated on Friday evening without any prior notice, with a heavy deployment of Delhi Police and paramilitary forces. The news agency has been operating for several decades from its premises at 9 Rafi Marg, New Delhi. Some government officials entered the premises along with about 300 personnel and officers of Delhi Police and paramilitary forces, as well as some lawyers, and began pressuring employees to immediately vacate the newsroom and leave the premises. They said the action was being taken under a court order, but they failed to show any written order. They warned that if employees did not leave peacefully, force would be used. When employees requested for some time and asked to wait for company management to arrive, and demanded to see a notice, some employees ~ including women ~ were forcibly dragged and pushed out of their seats and removed SOME AGENCY EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING WOMEN, WERE FORCIBLY DRAGGED AND PUSHED OUT OF THEIR SEATS AND REMOVED FROM THE NEWSROOM. THEY WERE ALSO SUBJECTED TO VERBAL ABUSE. from the newsroom. They were also subjected to verbal abuse. The police personnel took control of the gate of the premises and did not allow journalists who had gone out for news coverage, as well as management officials, to enter. Employees were also unable to retrieve their personal belongings. It is unclear why employees were evicted in this manner without any prior notice and in the absence of senior management of the news EAM, Bangladesh envoy chalk out roadmap to normalise ties ASHOK TUTEJA New Delhi, 20 March External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday met Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah and discussed ways to give a new direction to bilateral ties now that a democratically-elected Tarique Rahman government is in place in Dhaka. “Met with High Commissioner @hamidullah_riaz of Bangladesh. Our conversation was focused on advancing our bilateral ties,” Mr Jaishankar wrote on X after the brief meeting. This was the first meeting between Mr Jaishankar and the Bangladesh envoy who took charge in New Delhi in April last year. Mr Hamidullah is expected to meet Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal also to discuss how trade and commercial links between the two countries could be further strengthened. Sources said Mr Jaishankar expressed India's desire to normalise bilateral ties after a prolonged period of strain. He was confident that the two countries could put behind them certain unsavoury developments of the past one and a half years. The Bangladesh envoy is understood to have expressed confidence that there is no room for anyone to question the nature of relationship between the two countries. He was of the view that the ties between the two countries should flourish on the basis of dignity, equality and respect for each other. He, however, candidly told Mr Jaishankar that there is a perception in Bangladesh that some of the ''ills'' in the country when the Sheikh Hasina ECI tells parties to get advts pre-certified; asks candidates to share social media accounts STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 20 March The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday directed political parties to get their advertisements verified and certified by its media certification wing before releasing them on any electronic platform, including social media. Candidates were also asked to share the details of their authentic social media accounts in their affidavit at the time of filing nomination. Ahead of Assembly elections in four states, a Union territory and by-elections to six states, the poll panel said that “no political advertisements are to be released to any internet-based media/websites, including social media websites, by political parties/ candidates without pre-certification from the respective MCMC”. Any registered political party or any group of organisation/association or any contesting candidate/individual should apply to the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) for pre-certification of all political advertisements on electronic media such as TV, Radio, AV displays at public places, e-papers, bulk SMS/ voice messages including social media before publication, it added. “Individuals or contesting candidates can apply for certification of advertisements with District MCMC. All registered political parties headquartered in a State/UT can apply for certification of such advertisements with the State Level MCMC. The applications must be submitted within the specified timelines. An Appellate Committee headed by the CEO is also constituted at the State level to entertain appeals against the decisions of District/State MCMC,” it added, saying that the MCMCs will also keep a strict vigil on suspected cases of paid news in the media and take suitable action. The candidates are also required to share the details of their authentic social media accounts in their affidavit at the time of filing nomination. Quoting Section 77(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the directions of the Supreme Court, the ECI said that political parties should also submit a statement of expenditure incurred on campaigning through the internet, including social media websites to the ECI within 75 days of the completion of the Assembly elections. Saturday, 21 March 2026 SPORTS SATURDAY INTERVIEW NATION | government was in power were supported by India. Mr Jaishankar agreed with the Bangladesh envoy's opinion that the two countries should engage ''steadily and gradually''. There was also a discussion between the two sides on how the two countries could resume cricketing ties. Meanwhile, sources confirmed that Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilul Rahman will make a brief visit to New Delhi in early April on his way to Mauritius for an Indian Ocean meet. This will be the first visit to India by a minister from Bangladesh after the new government assumed office in Dhaka. Sources said the two sides are in touch with regard to the visit and there is a possibility of the Bangladeshi minister having some “important meetings” in New Delhi before proceeding to Mauritius. agency. Due to the sudden evacuation of the premises, the transmission of news to more than 500 subscribers of United News of India's English, Hindi, and Urdu services came to an abrupt halt. This has also put the existence of the historic news agency and the future of hundreds of employees and their families at risk. Starc joins Cummins, Hazlewood in missing early part of IPL 2026 Page 12 PM Modi , Bahrain King emphasise maritime security, stability in W Asia STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 20 March Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a “fruitful discussion” with Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, as the two leaders exchanged Eid greetings and reviewed the evolving situation in West Asia, with a focus on regional security and global supply chains. In a post on the social media platform X, PM Modi said he conveyed “warm greetings on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr to him and the people of Bahrain,” underlining the strong cultural and diplomatic ties between the two countries. The Prime Minister said discussions also covered the “current situation in the West Asian region,” particularly recent attacks on critical infrastructure. “Condemned attacks on the energy and civilian infrastructure in the region, underscoring their adverse impact on global food, fuel and fertiliser security,” he said. The comments come against the backdrop of heightened tensions in parts of West Asia, which have sparked global concerns over potential disruptions to key supply chains, including energy shipments and essential commodities. India, heavily dependent on imports of crude oil and fertilisers, has consistently stressed the importance of stability in the region for its economic and strategic interests. Mr Modi also highlighted the need to protect vital maritime routes, reiterating “the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation and keeping shipping lines open and secure.” The issue has gained prominence amid rising risks to international shipping corridors due to ongoing geopolitical instability. India and Bahrain maintain close economic and people-topeople ties, supported by a large Indian diaspora in the Gulf nation. Acknowledging this, Mr Modi thanked the Bahraini leadership for its continued support, saying he “thanked His Majesty for his continued support for the well-being of the Indian community in Bahrain.” Prices hiked for premium petrol, industrial diesel; govt says common man will not be impacted STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 20 March Oil marketing comp anies (OMCs) hiked the price of premium petrol by over Rs 2 per litre with immediate effect from Friday while the rate of bulk diesel sold to industrial users was hiked by about Rs 22 a litre amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. However, there has been no hike in the price of regular petrol or diesel. The rise in premium petrol prices comes at a time when global crude oil markets are witnessing sharp volatility due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia. State-run oil marketing companies, including Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and Indian Oil Corporation Limited, have hiked the prices of their prem- ium petrol variants by about Rs 2.09 to Rs 2.35 per litre. The price of branded fuels such as Power petrol and XP95 has increased from around Rs 111.68 per litre to nearly Rs 113.77 per litre. Meanwhile, prices of industrial diesel have also hiked by 25 per cent from Rs 87.67/ltr to Rs 109.59/ltr. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, was at pains to clarify that the hike does not impact the “common man", stressing that “only in the premium category there is some increase and that is hardly 2-4 per cent of the entire petrol which is sold every day". Speaking at the InterMinisterial briefing on recent developments in West Asia, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Indian killed in W Asia conflict: New Delhi: An Indian was killed in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, taking to six the number of Indian fatalities in the war in West Asia. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh said it is in touch with the family of the deceased and the local authorities. In a post on X, the Embassy said, “The Embassy of India expresses its deepest condolences on the tragic demise of an Indian national in Riyadh due to recent events on March 18th. The Embassy is in touch with the family and local authorities. We remain committed to extending all possible assistance in this matter.’’ At an inter-ministerial meeting in New Delhi, Aseem Mahajan, senior official of the Ministry of External Affairs, said his ministry received the confirmation about the death late on Thursday night. Natural Gas said petrol and diesel prices are deregulated and determined by the oil marketing companies. “...In case of petrol, there is no increase in the price. Only in the premium category there is some increase and that is hardly 2–3 per cent or 4 per cent of the entire petrol which is sold every day,” she said. “So it is not that the price of petrol has been increased for the common man. Whether we take it from Iran or not, that is for petrol only. The price of petrol and diesel has been deregulated.” President Droupadi Murmu seeks spiritual blessings in Vrindavan, inaugurates cancer care facility in Mathura STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Mathura, 20 March President Droupadi Murmu, on a visit to Vrindavan ~ the city of Lord Krishna ~ immersed herself in devotion and spirituality on Friday. Her programme included meetings with spiritual leaders to seek blessings and the inauguration of key healthcare projects. Amid tight security, the President’s visit highlighted the rich cultural and social heritage of the Braj region. She first visited the ashram of the renowned saint Premanand Maharaj, where she sought his blessings and engaged in discussions on spiritual traditions, the conservation of the Yamuna River, and social service initiatives. Premanand Maharaj presented her with a memento and prasad at the conclusion of the meeting. Later, the President proceeded to the Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram Hospital on Mathura Road. Welcomed by Governor Anandiben Patel and ashram officials, she inaugurated the newly constructed Oncology Block, which will enhance cancer treatment facilities in the region. She praised missionary organisations for their role in preserving cultural traditions and promoting selfless service. In the next phase of her tour, President Murmu visited the Neem Karori Baba Ashram, where she performed puja at the Hanuman Temple, undertook a parikrama, and paid respects at the samadhi of Neem Karori Baba. She also toured the museum within the ashram complex. On behalf of the ashram community, she was presented with Baba’s blanket, a portrait, and prasad. Governor Anandiben Patel, Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Lakshmi Narayan Chaudhary, Minister- in-charge Sandeep Singh, and senior administrative officials accompanied her throughout the visit. Strict security arrangements were in place, and her presence drew immense enthusiasm among devotees and local residents. The President will return to Delhi tomorrow after performing the parikrama of Govardhan.