Amit Kumar Mazumder
Port Blair, Jan 20: In yet another Press Conference, a part of Blame Game Marathon between Administration and the Member of Parliament, the MP today hit back and alleged that the Administration and is misleading Islanders of Buffer Zone Issue.
Getting Press Release from the side of Administration, indirectly blaming MP for ‘misleading public’ and conduct of Press Conference soon after those Press releases by MP, putting the same blame back on Administration and LG, has become a trend in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This cat fight has left Islanders more confused and worried.
On the Buffer Zone and Andaman Trunk Road Controversy, the MP today challenged the Lt. Governor of A & N Islands for an open debate.
“I invite Lt. Governor for a debate infornt of media on Buffer Zone and Andaman Trunk Road (ATR) issue. Let the public know all facts regarding Buffer Zone notification,” Bishnu Pada Ray, the Member of Parliament today said while addressing a press conference at the MP Bhawan of Port Blair.
Infuriated with Lt. Governor’s recent visit to North and Middle Andaman and his speech on Buffer Zone and ATR issue, the MP alleged that the speech is in complete contrast to what it was published in official statements of Administration, which came out in local newspapers, during Jarawa semi-nude video controversy.
“I have voice recordings of the speech, which I will share with media,” the MP said.
Andaman Trunk Road, the National Highway No: 223, connects Port Blair city with North and Middle Andaman and is considered the life-line of A & N Islands. In 2002 Supreme Court had ordered closure of the ATR to protect Jarawa Primitive Tribes from contact with the outside world.
On 18 January 2012, the Lt. Governor of A& N Islands, Lt. Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh had visited North and Middle Andaman region and told public that “there was no move to close down the Andaman Trunk Road and nor was there any plan to stop developmental activities in the Buffer Zone area. He cautioned the people to stay away from such kind of rumours being floated by certain people with some kind of vested interests.”
“If the statement is true then I want to ask that why Dew Dell Resort was closed down inside Buffer Zone area? Why number of convoys has been decreased to 4 from total 8? Why development has taken a back seat in North and Middle Andaman region,” the MP questioned.
Ray also cried foul over his indirect mention in LG’s speech.
“The Lt Governor had mentioned public that ‘some people’ are spreading rumours of the closure of the ATR and creating rift or misunderstanding between the tribals and the non-tribal population. This is a serious allegation but why the Administration is not filing a police case against those ‘some persons’. I want to ask who is the ‘person’? (O main hun) It’s me, but why no case was filed against me if this is true,” the MP questioned.
“The A & N Administration must come out with a clarification on Buffer Zone Issue,” the MP demanded.
Buffer Zone is a five-km radius around the Jarawa Reserve Forest of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which was created by Andaman and Nicobar Administration in 2007 vide Notification No 243. The Buffer Zone prohibits entry of any person other than a member of original tribes for any commercial or tourism activity.
