John Wilbert, Roni & Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Nov 13: Around 500-600 residents of Beodnabad area today staged a peaceful protest at 08:00 AM, against the administration’s alleged decision of constructing a new airport in their area. The peaceful protest later turned into Chakka Jam protest by the afternoon.
According to reports, a few days back, the Revenue Department conducted a survey in the area for constructing a New Airport which worried the villagers as they feared of losing their land, the major reason behind the protest.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, Mrs Bhanumathi, President, Barmanallah Village Welfare Committee said that the area here is mostly agriculture land and hence, the only source of income of the villagers comes from this land.
“This is the place, from where, the milk is supplied to the entire Port Blair city and if we lose the land it will be difficult for us to establish again,” said Mrs Bhanumathi.
Mrs Bhanumathi further said that there are many other places which are empty in South Andaman area and hence, she said; if the administration wants they can use those places for the airport.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, another resident of the area Mr Rajat said that if the government will take the land of farmers then how will they survive?
“We have approached the District Commissioner after forming the Village Welfare Committee, wherein he said that nothing is finalized yet but according to the rumors, everything is finalized by the administration behind closed doors to build an Airport here in this place,” Mr Rajat added.
As per reports, the Tehsildar of the concerned area came in the afternoon to talk with the protestors but when he failed to do so, the Sub- Divisional Magistrate, South Andaman; Mr Kishore Kshirsagar Lakshman came to the spot with the map and assured the residents of giving adequate compensation during the time of eviction, which instead fumed the protest.
Later in the evening, DySP Ajay Rai came to the spot and after he fixed the appointment of the villagers to meet the Secretary of the Lt Governor, the protest was called off.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, the Sarpanch of the Beodnabad Panchayat, Mr S Boominathan said that 04 people have got an appointment to meet the Secretary of the Lt Governor tomorrow and hence, they will be deciding who among the 04 members who will be going to meet the Secretary to LG tomorrow.
“If nothing works out then we will be forced to go for legal help, in this issue,” said Mr S Boominathan.
