Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Nov 23: The recent Crocodile attack, in which a 24 year old youth lost his life due to the alleged negligence of the Forest Officials have now created ripple in local society, triggering a debate whether this case should be considered as simple crocodile attack or this is a case of Murder due to negligence of authority.
Now prominent Islanders from different section of local society are demanding a strict action and FIR against the responsible Forest Department Officials for the loss of a life.
As per the general public, even after repeated requests and demands the Forest Officials did not take the pain to repair the porous net that was placed in the Wandoor Beach. Even though the net had multiple pores such earmarked area is left open for public and tourist, who thought they are in safe zone.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha recently, the Editor of a Local Newspaper, Light Of Kalapani, Mr Shyam Singh Yadav said that he in his newspaper edition, nearly months back published a report about the worst condition of the net that is placed in the Wandoor Beach but even though nothing was done by the Forest Department to repair or replace the net.
“I have already written a letter to the Chief Secretary, Andaman Administration, Superintendent of Police, South Andaman and also to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest demanding action and FIR against the responsible Officers of Forest as well as Tourism Department as this is a murder because there was no mistake of the youth as he was swimming inside the protected area,” Mr Yadav said.
Mr Shyam Singh Yadav further requested the Lt Governor, Andaman & Nicobar Islands to take action for providing justice to the youth otherwise such inaction will only show the world how carelessly Administration is run in Andaman.
Further talking to Andaman Sheekha, Social Worker, Mr Akshay Pant said that a compensation amount of nearly 3-4 lakhs have been sanctioned for the crocodile victim, who died because of negligence of A & N Administration.
“If the youth lived his entire life, he would have earn much more than Rs 3-4 lakhs and I request the Andaman Administration to atleast pay an amount of Rs 10 Lakhs to the deceased, who lost his life due to the mismanagement of the Forest Department,” Mr Pant said.
Mr Pant also requested the Lt Governor, Andaman & Nicobar Islands to order an independent inquiry in this case so that the responsible officials could be punished,” Mr Pant requested.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, Mr Subir Chander, Zilla Parishad Member of Tushnabad Constituency and a Senior Congress Leader said that the authorities of Forest Department are now trying to cover up the issue and safeguard their staffs and are claiming that the incident took place because the hoteliers, Fishermen, who are allegedly throwing wastes in the Sea Water, which has resulted into the incident.
“Why the Forest Department is not mentioning that more than thrice the PRI Members of the Wandoor area have demanded and requested them to repair or replace the net, Why they have not shifted the dangerous Crocodile in the area prior to the incident?” Mr Subir questioned.
Mr Subir lastly demanded that an inquiry and FIR in this regard because he too claims the incident should be considered a Murder due to negligence. He also demanded to suspend the forest officials from top to the bottom responsible in this case.
