DJ Venkatesh
Diglipur, Oct 17: Within few hours of the launch of an Indefinite Hunger Strike at Diglipur Island, the lone Member of Parliament withdrew the Hunger Strike following simple assurances that came from Port Blair this afternoon, the capital city of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The Member of Parliament on 15, October 2014 declared to go for a Hunger Strike at Subhash Nagar village of North Andaman protesting against removal of the statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and demanding immediate re-installation of the same at the same place.
The Hunger Strike began at around 10 am, after two days long high drama but by afternoon the Administration sent the Agriculture Secretary, Mr. JP Singh, in the specially arranged Helicopter to handover the letter of assurance to MP. As per the assurance letter a high level committee consisting of Principle Secretary (Revenue), Secretary Law, Deputy Commissioner etc will visit Diglipur on 20th October 2014 and visit the spot to see whether the site in question is permissible spot for erection of the statue or not. In case of legal hurdle, the administration was willing to suggestion an alternative spot for the statue.
The emissary while handing over the letter said that the decision on the site for Netaji statue will be taken with due consultation with MP, Netaji Statue committee and villagers.
However the Secretary of Netaji statue committee, while speaking after the emissary’s view, categorically stated that they want a peaceful way in the statue row but the spot for Netaji Statue is not negotiable. Even though the MP and the villagers agreed to end the strike honoring the assurance given by the Administration of a visit by high level committee on 20th Oct, but at the same time the villagers and the Netaji statue committee have disagreed to the suggestion of alternative spot for erection of the Netaji Statue.
Mr. Ray, after consultation with village representatives said that the visit of the high level committee was a welcome move, but at the same said that the already earmarked spot was the most suitable place and the site is not disputed under of Apex Court Judgment. He said that that the land was a house site and does not create hindrance in any way to traffic or people. More over the spot is much away from NH or any public utility. Questioning the administration contention based on Apex Court order of 2006, the MP asked why was the erection of Indira Gandhi over footpath and Rajiv Gandhi Statue at public utility place (park) at Port Blair allowed after 2006 order.
He further added that he will also be present during the visit of high level committee to Diglipur and that he will decide his future course of action after the high level committee’s decision and as per the view of the villagers.
