Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Dec 01: People of Calicut Basti near Rajaji Nagar today blocked the Andaman Trunk Road after the Revenue Department demolished their houses, which were constructed in encroached land.
As per reports, nearly 19 houses were demolished by the Revenue Department after giving a proper notice to them.
Sources said that the Revenue Department was about to demolish nearly 58 houses constructed at Encroachment land at Calicut Basthi but large number of public gathered at the area did not allow the Revenue Department to demolish rest of the houses.
However, after the houses were demolished all the villagers came and sat on the ATR road in front of Garacharma Hospital and the protest continued for more than 3 hours.
The road blockade however, caused misery for many, especially school students who were returning back home from the school and had to wait empty belly for hours, because of the Chakka Jam.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, the villagers said that they were staying there in the encroachment land since last 10-15 years but in all these years no one even came to enquire about them and hence according to them this action of the Revenue Department is not justified.
“Now we are homeless where we will take our children, where will we cook food, the administration should come forward to help,” demanded a lady whose house was demolished.
Many Politicians reached the spot in support of the protest. As per sources, the Calicut Panchayat with the help of Councillors and party is preparing food for nearly 150 villagers, whose houses were demolished.
Meanwhile in a press release by the Revenue Department justified the reason behind this eviction drive where it is stated that as per the procedures prescribed under A&N Islands LRR 1966 & Rules 1968, Encroachments on Govt. land, bearing Sy No. 1/P at Calicut village, Port Blair Tehsil have been removed today on 01/12/2016. This is part of a massive encroachment eviction drive conducted by the revenue department, led by SDM SA, and including 35 revenue field functionaries and more than 60 Police officials & IRBN team, in presence of PRI members. There were a total of 30 structures, including permanent and semi permanent, which were removed. Machineries like 03 excavators, and trucks were used by the eviction team. Around 2 hectares of government land has been restored.
The district Administration has cautioned public to refrain from such unauthorized activities and encroachments, including buying and selling encroached land.
