Large Scale Encroachment in Billyground area; SDM imposes section 144

Staff Correspondent : Express News Service

Billyground, Aug 12:  More than 50 people in Harinagar area recently entered in vacant land with an intension to encroach the land, ultimately the Sub Division Magistrate had to interfere and impose section 144 in that vacant land. Later Andaman Sheekha investigation found that these people were troubled by continuous erosion of their cultivation land due to flow of river. Though they have given series of representations but their problems were never taken seriously by the District Adminitration.

Most of the Population of the North and Middle Andaman Region comprises of settlers, settled by the Govt. of India under Colonization Schemes. The settlers were given land at the time of settlement so that they could indulge in agricultural activities and earn a decent living and help in the development of the Islands.

But for many settler families, who got their land close to river, now consider themselves as the most unlucky lot because a considerable portion of their land has been taken away by river current. Erosion of land along the river bed is now threatening their agricultural land also their existence.

Settler families living along the river bed in Swadeshnagar, Shantipur, Harinagar, Pinakinagar, Jaippur, Profullo Nagar and Paresh Nagar villages are the worst hit. The worst examples of Land Erosion could easily be seen at Harinagar, Pinakinagar and Nimbudera areas, where a considerable portion of cultivable land has already been washed away by river.

Since last many years, villagers of these areas have been requesting the Administration to provide them alternative land but till now they got nothing except assurance. During the recent visit of Lt. Governor to North and Middle Andaman, the Lt. Governor had himself inspected lands, threatened by Land Erosion.

Residents of Middle Andaman fear that if no action is taken by Administration now then in coming future the Andaman Truck Road may also fall victim of such so

The residents now fear that if Administration does not take any early action in this regard the Andaman Trunk Road could also become a victim of such erosion. Not only this in several areas of Middle Andaman, like Radha Govind Temple area of Billyground such land erosion is threatening normal life as in future such erosion will also cause serious damages to houses and properties of settler families.

The attempt of encroaching vacant land by these villagers clearly shows the level of frustration and anger among these villagers. Hope the Administration will wake up before these troubled villagers take any other serious step.