Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Feb 13: A simple motorboat with more that 60 Rohingyas from Bangladesh today berthed at Malacca Jetty of Car Nicobar, India, sparking questions about the effectiveness of the security network around Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The refugees reportedly berthed their boat at the Jetty at around 9.30 AM, with men, women, children, and even infants onboard.
This news has raised serious concerns about the security measures in place, as the refugees were able to enter an Island easily, which is not only a tribal reserve area but also has an Air Force Base. People of these Islands are raising questions as how despite the presence of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, the Coast Guard, and the Marine Police, the refugees were able to slip through unnoticed.
It is learnt that the Rohingyas were given all necessary medicines and food items at the Jetty. It is still not clear whether the boat has been pushed back as despite several attempts, officials were not available for a comment about the present status of the boat.
“If a simple motor boat with so many people can reach such a protected Island so easily, imagine what will happen if some enemy stealth vessel with armed people tries similar stunts to capture any inhabited Island?” questioned an Islander.
This incident raises important questions about the preparedness and effectiveness of the security network in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the measures being taken to protect the sensitive tribal reserve area and defence bases. The authorities must take swift and decisive action to address the issue and ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.
