*THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS :: VOL: 33 :: ISSUE: 06 :: 25 Feb 2008*

*Bhakta and his 112 demands*


By Staff Reporter

Manoranjan Bhakta, Member of Parliament has again gone on an indefinite fast
at Port Blair from February 19, 2008 in support of his 112 point of charter
of demands. The charter includes, among others, assembly for A&N Islands,
autonomous status for the tribal councils of Nicobar Group of Islands,
checking influx, regularization of all encroachments, ATR to APWD instead of
BRO etc.
Chalking down his priorities to The Light of Andamans, the MP said that the
plight of the people of the islands could only be appreciated by the
political leaders, and, in no way by the bureaucrats who have the
decision-making powers.
"To meet this situation the people need to be empowered which is only
possible with the formation of an Assembly," Bhakta said, adding, we should
decide our welfare and act accordingly".
Replying to a question as to why he was agitating against his own
government, Mr. Bhakta said that the congress party was not ruling the
country but it was the UPA Government in which all the parties had to agree
and "we are a constituent of the same as others". He however signaled that
conversations and meetings were on and even Pranab Mukherjee was in brisk
favour of the proposal.
Political observers were however wary of such antics of Bhakta. The Budget
session of Parliament commences from February 25. "He should have gone on
hunger strike in front of Parliament where the decision makers sit" said one
such observer. "The Lt Governor or the administration did not have the
authority to grant assembly, nor check influx nor grant autonomy to tribal
council" he continued. "These gimmicks don't work anymore" retorted the
other.


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