Staff Correspondent
Port Blair, Mar 19: A large number of BJP workers of Andaman and Nicobar Islands today gheraoed the Raj Niwas this afternoon against heavy curtailment of water and excessive power cut in South Andaman region.
However the peaceful gherao witnessed a little scuffle between police jawans and BJP workers, when Andaman and Nicobar Police tried to stop the BJP workers a little far away from the usual protest site, infront of Raj Niwas of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
“This is shameful that Administration is unable to provide sufficient water and electricity to people of these Islands, which are basic needs. We demand immediate restoration of power and water supply,” R Mohan President of BJP’s A & N unit told ‘Andaman Sheekha’ today.
The BJP also demanded early completion of Rut Island water project and height raising work of Dhanikari Dam, setting up of monitoring committee for water and electricity in A & N Islands, consisting of a member from BJP Party.
The BJP Member of Parliament, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray also attended the protest and demanded serious steps to ensure uninterrupted power supply and regular water supply.
“Every year we hear promises that height of Dhanikari Dam will be raised by five meters but nothing is happening on the ground. We have been demanding to set up a Jal Board for Andaman but that demand has also fallen into deaf ears,” Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray the lone Member of Parliament said while addressing the protesting BJP workers during the Raj Niwas Gherao programme.
Later a senior level BJP delegation, consisting of Smti Sheela Singh, State Secretary, R Vimod, State Vice President,CH Babu,Port Blair City President,R Damodaran, ex-Chairperson PBMC headed by R Mohan the State President BJP, met the Secretary to Lt. Governor in Raj Niwas and handed over a copy of memorandum containing all their demands on this issue.
The Secretary to Lt. Governor reportedly conveyed the delegation that a meeting on these issues will be convened tomorrow by Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
