Bandh in Diglipur Island over religious issue

Staff Correspondent
Diglipur, Mar 09: Villagers and political leaders today called a Bandh in Diglipur Island after the district Administration removed an Idol from a ‘temporary’ worship place on Friday early morning.

According to reports, the idol was recently placed, in an abandoned government quarter, by a group of Islanders of Diglpur Islands, which was viewed as an effort to encroach government land by District Administration.

Protesting public of Diglipur allege that the idol was removed on 8, May 2012 at 1.30 am and was placed in a nearby religious place of Diglipur Bazaar area.

Following this leaders of various political parties like TMC and BJP and Committee members of the religious place, called a Bandh at Diglipur Islands this morning.

By late afternoon when first round of talks failed almost all shops of second most prominent Island of A & N Chain, Diglipur, were closed and main road stretch was blocked. However, the Bandh failed to impact functioning of government schools and offices.

“We have only one demand, the Idol has to be brought back to the same place by District Administration and from there the idol will be shifted on the same day by the committee members as per their religious beliefs and customs,” Bishnu Pada Ray the Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands told ‘Adnaman Sheekha’ today.

Besides, BJP MP, many other leaders from BJP and TMC were leading the protest at Diglipur.

“The Assistant Commissioner of Diglipur Islands directed the police to remove the idol despite of the fact that we had already assured to shift the idol soon, as per ritual and religious beliefs” Naresh Halder, Zilla Parishad Member of Diglipur Islands, told ‘Andaman Sheekha’ today.

Till this evening, the District Administration remained adamant over the issue. “We are duty bound as there is a clear cut direction from Supreme Court that public land can not be occupied for religious purposes,” Sanjay Kumar, the Assistant Commissioner of Diglipur Island told ‘Andaman Sheekha’ over phone.

At late evening, the MP and some members of the Puja Committee have been called at Diglipur Guest House for a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner of North and Middle Andaman. When last report poured in the meeting was going on.