Rahul Singh & Savita Kumari
Port Blair, Nov 22: Today the farmers of Campbell Bay held a “Chakka jam” at Zero Point, Campbell Bay demanding procurement of copra at Minimum Support Price (MSP).
As per information received the farmers blocked Zero Point junction, Campbell Bay early in the morning and continued till evening. During the protest they demanded to get a fair MSP for their agriculture produce. As per farmers, the MSP of copra is Rs. 103, but no one is procuring the copra at that price from the farmers, so they demanded immediate arrangements for procuring the copra at MSP.
This protest was unique in its way as the farmers had placed coconuts on road as a mark of protest.
Mr. Rajan Singh, General Secretary of Great Nicobar Farmers Association spoke to the Deputy Commissioner, Nicobar District who reportedly informed the farmers that their issues will be sorted out soon.
Mr. Singh said that they are prepared for a long battle and the protest will continue. He added that if Administration does not come forward for help they will organize another Chakka jam at Campbell Bay.
Later the leaders of political parties of BJP and Congress also visited the protest site and assured the protesters to provide their full support.
The Block President Indian National Congress Mr. Gagandeep Singh Grewal joined the protest and said that it is their rightful demand of getting the MSP from the Administration as many settler families who were brought to these islands by Government to do agriculture and their families are completely dependent on this agriculture even today.
It is very important that Administration should understand pain of farmers and make necessary arrangements for procuring the coconut and if Administration doesn’t solve this issue the Congress Party will also protest with the farmers and will always stand with the farmers, he added.
State Vice President, BJP Mr. Sanjay Kumar Singh said that it’s complete failure of the Administration that the farmers are suffering as no government establishment is procuring copra from farmers of Great Nicobar, despite many letters given by Great Nicobar Farmer Association, no action was initiated to help farmers.
He further said that he will raise their demands in front of Minister of Agriculture and also said that BJP will stand with the farmers and they will extend their full support to them.
Mr. E S Rajesh, Ex-Pradhan Laxmi Nagar, and the District President of BJP who was present at strike said that this problem is a long pending demand of farmers but no solution has come yet despite writing many letters to Administration and LG office.
The leaders of both the major political parties of Andaman and Nicobar Islands were present during the protest.
It is learned that from Congress Mr. Navaneethan, District President, INC, Nicobar District, Mr. Gagan Deep Singh Grewal, Block President, INC, Campbell Bay, Mr. Rahul Singh, District President, Indian Youth Congress, Nicobar District, Mr. Sabestin, Active Worker, INC, Campbell Bay and other leaders of the Indian National Congress met the protesting farmers and were present in the strike today.
From BJP Mr. Sanjay Kumar Singh, State Vice President, Mr. E.S Rajesh, District President, BJP, Nicobar District, Mr. K C Murugan, Mandal President, BJP, Campbell Bay, and other leaders of BJP leaders met the protesting farmers.
