Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, January 21: A crew of MV Swarajdweep namely Mr Lokanadham is finding it too difficult to perform the last rites of his mother, just because of alleged negligence from the side of the Shipping Corporation of India and the Andaman & Nicobar Administration.
As per reports, last night mother of Mr Lokanadham, Mrs Tulsiamma expired at Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital and to attend the last ritual of his mother, Mr Lokanadham took all the step to come back to Port Blair from Oman as the vessel MV Swarajdweep is at dry-dock at Oman but unfortunately its getting very hard for him to return back.
It is now alleged that even after putting all efforts he is unable to come back here just because the SCI didn’t complete all the formalities before leaving the country. “The SCI didn’t follow the Ministry of India’s rule and left the country before issuing the VISA to the seamen of MV Swaraj Dweep,” alleged the family members of Mr. Lokanadham.
Andaman Sheekha also learnt that the SCI had yet not done the insurance of the seamen before leaving the Indian Port.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha over phone, a crew member of MV Swarajdweep said that MrLoknadham including all the seamen is like in the house arrest.
“Even in case of emergency we are unable to go back to our home,” said the crew member in case of anonymity.
Andaman Sheekha however learnt that the mother’s body of Mr Loknadham is still kept in the mortuary of Govind Ballabh Pant hospital and the family members are still waiting and hoping that Mr Loknadham will come back soon to complete the last rituals of his mother.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, the Director of Directorate of Shipping Services, Mr Rajinder Kumar however maintained that the SCI has completed all the necessary immigration criteria and then left for Oman. He further added that as per rules VISA is not required for a crew.
“It was an unforeseen incident that took place and the department has already asked the SCI to take necessary steps so that Mr Loknadham can come back here for his mother’s final rites. But there are certain formalities, which has to be followed,” the DSS said.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, a family member of Mr Loknadham said that if it will take more two to three days for him to come back from Oman then they won’t be able to complete all the rituals as followed in their tradition.
“We humbly request the administration to do something in this issue and anyhow manage to bring Mr Loknadham back in two days as it was the last wish of his mother to get her final rituals done by his elder son,” the family members said.
The family member also tried to make video call to Mr. Loknadham while his mother was taking her last breath, but due to poor connectivity in the Islands they were unable to connect to him.
Further talking to Andaman Sheekha, Mr Dharvinder Ram, Secretary, NUSI said that there must be some constitutional policy between the countries so that a person can come back to his home without following any formalities in case of an emergency, like this.
