*The Light of Andamans :: Issue 48*

*Before volcanoes erupt...*



Time and again, while publications controlled by the administration condemn
the efforts of the people who strive for justice, The Light of Andamans has
always felt the need to reflect the pulse of the people and warn the
authorities about the looming resentment among the people.



By Zubair Ahmed



Port Blair: When the natives of Kalapatther protested against the sluggish
pace of construction of roads, the paper did voice their concern. The
perceptive ears and observant eyes did sense the bitterness among the public
at Campbell Bay, when it witnessed the pitiable condition of educational
institutions there. It has been constantly cautioning the administration
about the step-motherly treatment meted out to the farmers of South Andaman.


The canned anger in Hut Bay and its neighbourhood regarding the location and
design of the permanent houses was featured in detail by LoA in its 6 th and
7th Issues dated January 21 and 28, 2006. It had explicitly warned the
authorities about the discontentment of the Netajinagar residents and PRI
members.

There is nothing new or unexpected, in the way matters have culminated
during the last week with people coming out on the streets. The Deputy
Commissioner was gheraoed by the public and PRI members on 11 January 2006
at 5.30 pm at Hut Bay. Their demands were laid before him threadbare.

"We oppose the construction plan of permanent shelters away from the field
of work," Ashim Mirbahar, Pradhan, Netaji Nagar, said. He was dejected at
the insensitivity of the officials.

"They don't try to understand our problems, where are the farmers going to
keep their farm animals, where would they stack their paddy," he fumed. He
was referring to the decision of constructing the houses in pockets 2-3 km
away from their livelihood sources.

When under terrible pressure, the DC ultimately promised to look into their
concerns, they waited patiently. When things again started going off the
mark, and their housing dreams were shattered with the Ministry of Urban
Development and the local administration taking decisions without taking
into account their genuine concerns, they chalked out a peaceful
demonstration, that too, after submitting their charter of demands to the
concerned authorities.

Another issue, that has consistently found space inside this paper is the
indifferent treatment meted out to the farmers in South Andaman, who have
lost their land to the seawater ingression after the tsunami (Issue 25, 10
June 2006). Till now, the administration has not come out with any blueprint
regarding compensating them or allotment of alternate land. It is another
volcano, which may erupt anytime, if due consideration is not given. The
selection of sites in South Andaman for the construction of permanent houses
for the non-tribal tsunami victims from Southern group is another bone of
contention among the public in South Andaman.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]