Nishar Mohammed & Vikramaditya
Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan 15: The unearthing of a fake Local Certificate racket in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has emerged as a serious cause of concern for both the administration and the island society. Police have recovered 17 forged Local Certificates and sent four accused to judicial custody. Preliminary investigations indicate that these fake certificates were being used to illegally avail government facilities and ship travel concessions meant exclusively for genuine island residents.
The case has highlighted not only administrative loopholes but also raised questions about the protection of the rights and future of bona fide islanders. Speaking to Andaman Sheekha Daily, Mr. TSG Bhasker the Chairman of Campaign Committee ANTCC today said that the issue goes far beyond fake certificates and must be viewed in conjunction with the problem of illegal immigration.
Mr. Bhasker stated that the matter had been flagged nearly one and a half months ago at the highest levels, including before the Director General of Police. He questioned why a legally settled person would ever require a fake Local Certificate, asserting that such documents are typically used to “legalise illegal immigrants.” He described the case as an “open and shut” matter and alleged that the involvement of government officials could not be ruled out, stating that such certificates cannot be issued without the role of revenue authorities.
Demanding a thorough and impartial investigation, Mr. Bhasker called for the case to be handed over to the CID or the CBI, warning that without an independent probe, the issue could be suppressed. He stressed that the racket is not confined to a single area like Hut Bay, but could be part of a much larger scam affecting the entire island chain.
Emphasising that fake Local Certificates are also used to secure jobs, Mr. Bhasker said the current recovery of certificates represents only the “tip of the iceberg.” He warned that the issue poses a threat to national security, particularly at a time when massive strategic investments are being made in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He urged immediate action to dismantle the racket from its roots.
Meanwhile, referring to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Mr. Anil Kumar Tiwari, President of the BJP Andaman & Nicobar State Unit today cautioned that fake documents such as Local Certificates and Islander Cards could be misused to illegally enter voter lists. He appealed to the administration to conduct strict verification and ensure that even minor doubts result in the exclusion of such names until proper inquiry is completed.
He further reiterated that genuine island children, who have studied continuously from Class I to Class XII in the islands, must rightfully receive employment opportunities, and that fake certificates directly undermine their future. Calling the fabrication of Local Certificates a grave crime, Mr. Tiwari urged both the administration and the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious cases to the nearest police station.
Local youths say that the exposure of the fake local certificate racket must serve as a wake-up call for the administration, law-enforcement agencies, and society at large. This issue goes far beyond forged documents; it directly affects the rights, jobs, and future of genuine islanders and poses potential risks to national security. A transparent, time-bound, and independent investigation is essential to restore public trust. Islanders strongly believe that handing over the case to a central agency would ensure accountability and uncover the deeper nexus behind the scam. Only strict action, vigilance, and public cooperation can prevent such threats from recurring and safeguard the interests of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
