Bishnu Demands Look-out-Posts and Border roads to counter poachers
Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, May 24: The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray today pointed out that intrusion of Burmese poachers in North Andaman as well as in Campbell Bay Islands have become a major threat for the General Public.
Addressing a press conference at MP Bhawan today, Mr. Ray said that during his recent visit to Campbell Islands he has found that Islands like Tillangchaung, Afra Bay, Macca Chua have become a perfect den for Burmese poachers. He said that Gopal Nagar II village of Diglipur Island is also infested with Burmese poachers.
“Near Gopal Nagar II, we have Land Fall Island, which is situated just 50 km away from Coco Island, which is a Chinese Base. I demand that the Government must set up Look-out-Posts in these areas and construct border roads in Diglipur and Mayabuder Region.
Mr. Aurobindo Halder, a villager from Gopal Nagar of Diglipur, who was also present during the press conference alleged that Burmese poachers have till now attacked and injured 10 people, including a police man, in his village.
“They take away our boats and create nuisance in our village. They also steal fruits and vegetables from our plantations,” Halder added.
The MP informed media about the recent visit of tsunami affected farmers’ delegation to New Delhi. He said that the delegation met with top level political leaders and Cabinet Ministers and also the Prime Minister of India. The MP said that the farmers’ delegation have been assured by every top Minister of favourable action from the side of Government.
Regarding Tsunami Relief the MP alleged that crores of rupees had been siphoned off after 2004 tsunami, in the name of relief and rehabilitation.
He said that loans worth 80 crores have been waived by government against purchase of vehicles like Tata Sumo, Maruti Car, which were not even touched by tsunami waves but for those land, which have been inundated by sea water, the government has not released compensation yet.
“As per rules in case of compensation against land, the government should pay money to farmers, four times higher then the current market rate and the government should provide job to one member of each affected family. In government norms there is no rule for surrendering land. There is some hidden agenda of Administration in this case,” the MP alleged.
The MP said that the APWD has Rs. 16 Crores for construction of sluice gates in tsunami inundated land but the work has not been completed till now. He said that the farmers will write a letter to the Lt. Governor for immediate construction of sluice gates and if the work does not start farmers will block Andaman Trunk Road in protest.
