Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, January 18: Death of a Tushnabad Youth, namely Sandeep Xalxo, triggered minor protest this morning. Several villagers of Tushnabad gathered near the mortuary of Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital this morning and demanded thorough investigation in this entire issue.
According to reports, the deceased was injured in an accident on 9th January at 06:30pm at Ferrargunj after which he was admitted in the Ferrargunj Hospital. Due to very severe injuries the deceased was later referred to the G B Pant hospital, Port Blair. But unfortunately he died yesterday night.
As per the villagers, the Police claims that it was an road accident but many villagers told Andaman Sheekha that the injuries on the head and marks on the entire body of the victim indicate that he was attacked.
The villagers also alleged that the bike, the deceased was riding, was recovered by the Police after two long days of the accident. The villagers also alleged that the bike, the deceased was riding, belongs to a Policeman. This the family members thinks is the main reason behind delay in investigation.
Some villagers told Andaman Sheekha that on 9th January the boy went to a marriage ceremony and later was seen in a BAR at Aniket area and later was admitted in the Ferrargunj Hospital.
Many villagers alleged that even after asking the Police about the status of the case the Police is not replying to their questions.
“Police hasn’t seen the CCTV footage of the BAR till now,” Villagers added.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, Ex Upadhyaksh, South Andaman, Zilla Parishad, Mr Anand Raj said that he himself don’t agree that it was an accident.
“Yes, we are not sure about it but the injury the boy sustained indicates that it was not a road accident. We are not expert and hence we demand thorough investigation in this regard and setting up of a medical board for this case,” he added.
Late Sandeep Xalxo’s father is paralysed since last two years and he is the sole bread winner for his family.
Later it has been learnt that the demands of the protesting people have been accepted by the Administration and following this a board of doctors conducted the PME.
“PME report is awaited. Police is investigating into this matter,” sources in Police department told Andaman Sheekha.

Staff Correspondent

Port Blair, Jan 18: Mr. Deepak Jha, the General Secretary of A & N State BJP unit, who was arrested on Thursday last by Andaman’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for allegedly taking an amount of Rs. 7.5 lakh from a family to arrange admission to a child of the family in a mainland based Medical College, has been sent to Judicial Custody for 14 days today.

On Friday last Mr. Jha was produced to court by CID unit and from court the CID unit had taken police remand for three days to interrogate Mr. Jha about the details of bank accounts, which were used to transfer the amount.

After completion of police remand, Mr. Jha was produced to court today and from court he was sent to 14 days Judicial Remand.

As per details he had taken an amount of Rs. 7.5 lakhs from one family in Andaman to arrange admission of their kid in Medical College, as per details, when the deal went wrong for some reasons, the family, registered a complaint in Anti- Corruption unit nearly two months back.

The case was later transferred to CID unit.

After investigating the case Mr. Jha was arrested on Thursday evening by the CID team under section 420 read with 34 IPC.

“We are following the procedure as per law,” said the Superintendent of Police (CID) Mr. Atma Ram Deshpande.

Muralidharan Pillai

Port Blair, Jan 17: Hundreds of students of remote Rampur in North Andaman are pursuing studies under the roof of a building that is reportedly on the verge of collapse. Though the Andaman Public Works Department constructed the concrete building for the Govt. Middle School, Rampur through a private contractor way back in 2013, lethargy in completion of electrical and other works in the school building has left students compelled to study inside an extremely hazardous wooden building.
Government Middle School, Rampur, initially started as Primary school, in a wooden structure constructed in the early 60s to cater to the education of students of Rampur and adjoining villages. The school was upgraded to the Middle School level in the year 2000 but inside the same wooden building.
Though the school was later upgraded to middle school during 2000 but still continued to function in the same wooden structure. Since the upgradation of the school, enrolment of students and demand for more classroom spiked up and subsequently the Andaman Public Works Department was entrusted the work for construction of RCC building for the school. Initially, one wing of RCC classrooms was added. In the year 2012, APWD floated tenders for construction of RCC first floor of the school building with additional classroom. The private contractor, who bagged the project, completed the civil work by 2013 and handed over the building to the APWD. But for the delay in completion of electrical and other allied works, the RCC school building is still awaiting its inauguration. The recent visit of the ZIlla Parishad Adhyaksha of North and Middle Andaman incited hope among students and parents of the area, but in vain.
“The crumbling wooden structure of GMS Rampur, constructed decades ago, has become a major concern for students and parents of Rampur and nearby villages. But with no other option, students are forced to study under risky conditions. The wooden structure is on the verge of collapse and any such untoward incident will claim previous human lives particularly small students. Besides, colossal trees inside the school premises also pose a serious threat of tree crashing incidents. Though the RCC school building has been completed in all respect, delay in execution of electrical works has left the building unutilised since 2013. Neither the APWD nor the PRIs have paid any attention to an issue that matters hundreds of school students of this remote territory,” bewail some villagers of Rampur speaking to Andaman Sheekha.

Sarthak Kanjilal

Port Blair, January 17: A decomposed body of a man namely Mr Narayan, a private worker by profession was found yesterday morning at 08:30am inside an unused office of Andaman Harbour Work Department near Chatham bridge.

According to reports, Mr Narayan S/o Late Krishnamoorty a resident of Haddo, Ward Number 1 was an habitual drinker and used to consume alcohol regularly without having food which was, said to be, the reason behind his death.
As per reports, Mr Narayan used to sleep anywhere nearby roads, temples etc after consuming alcohol.
It is learnt that the last rites of the deceased body were carried out by the neighbors and other people of his native village. A case of unnatural death has been registered in the Chatham Police Station.

Ganesh Sarkar
Port Blair, Jan 14: Once famous among children and joggers of Hut Bay, the abysmal condition of a Public Park is proof of lack of interest of Panchayat authorities in ensuring proper maintenance of public facilities. Chidambaram Park at Hut Bay 2 km, near Coast Guard Station after its inauguration in 2008 used to be thronged by visitors on a daily basis.
But for utter neglect in the subsequent months, the Park currently bears a deserted look with almost all play equipments turned rusty and the area becoming home to wild bushes and creature.
According to reports, the Chidambaram Park was inaugurated by the then Pradhan of Hut Bay Panchayat, Mr C Palaniswamy on 31st Oct 2008.
Children thronged the Park after its inauguration. Swings and other play equipments in the Park remained the major amusement source for children of the region for initial few months.
Joggers used the Park for improvement of physical health, while the elderly residents relaxed at the location away from the hustle and bustle of normal life. But for the lethargy of the Panchayat authority, today no one dares to venture close to the Park. Even a Canteen constructed in the premises of the Park presently stands in ruins with anti-social elements using the deserted space for boozing or gambling.
“The Hut Bay Panchayat carried out routine maintenance of the Chidambaram Park for the initial few months after its inauguration. A number of play equipments were installed at the Park for the benefit of children. But for reasons better known to the Panchayat, the Park has been lacking maintenance for years. Almost all equipments have rusted and the park has become home to the wild bushes and animals. Even venomous snakes have been spotted in the Park premises on a number of occasions,” say some Hut Bay residents.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha, the Pradhan, Hut Bay Panchayat, Smt Geeta Rao said that efforts are on to restore the Chidambaram Park.
“The Panchayat has been facing shortage of funds due to which the renovation work could not be initiated. However, the matter is being thoroughly pursued with the concerned authorities in the administration and people of Little Andaman can expect early restoration of the Park,” she said.

Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, January 14: All the pillars of the society should work together for the development of the society and the Andaman & Nicobar Police is trying its best in all the fields like Community Policing, Technology, reach to the people etc. for bringing improvement in the functioning of Andaman & Nicobar Police and need equivalent and sincere co-operation of the general public, said the Director General of Police, A&N Police, Mr Rajesh Mallick.
Addressing the Annual Press Conference at GO’s Mess, Atalnta Point today at 12:00pm, DGP Rajesh Mallick said that Police itself is described as Police i.e Peace Keeping, Orderliness, Law and enforcement, Integrity, Crime Patrol, Excellence and thus the Police is duty bound for the improvement of the society.
“Media plays the role of a major stakeholder in the functioning of the Police and its support through community sensitization will help the Police in performing its duties more efficiently,” said Mr Malik.

Further the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr Narendra Kumar Bundela briefed the media about various new initiatives, priorities of the A&N Police and awareness campaign held during the previous year.
He said the A&N Police has 23 Police Stations, 21 Out posts, 12 Jarawa Posts and 7 look out posts which are far flung and difficult areas and the policemen posted there are working in very extreme conditions.
“All the police personnel posted there are doing a wonderful job which should really be appreciated,” DGP Rajesh Mallick added. The DIGP said that the new initiatives taken by the A&N Police is the ‘lost article report’ module launched by the department for which nearly 73 reports have been reported till date, release of clippings on ‘tourist safety & traffic safety’ including a movie on Mr Speed, Andaman & Nicobar Police website revamped, installation of WIPA at eight locations for centralized broadcasting of messages, e-quarter allotment through software based generation in seniority order, operationlization of MOC at Kadamtala, online submission of C-forms, separate marine PCR started for coastal security, raising of 3 teams of SDRF, formation of two ORTs in SAP unit, functionalization of PR station at Billyground, installation of PA system at 5 prominent tourist locations, coastal mapping of 6o8 islands and formation of scuba diving team under PMF.
He further added that the various priorities of the A&N Police is smart policing, zero tolerance against crimes, keeping the islands secure, maintain law and order and ensure peaceful co-existence, protecting vulnerable sections of society, preventing and detecting crime, improving quality of investigation, improving public interface, manage traffic with stakeholder’s participation building professionals through training, welfare of policemen and their families and security of vital installations are the major priorities of A&N Police. The DIGP further also gave a data about various crimes took place in the islands.
Further the Superintendent of Police, Nicobar District, Mr Deepak Yadav briefed about the various activities and awareness camps conducted in the Nicobar Islands. He also briefed about the mobile application ‘Divya Drishti’ a concept of smart policing the Andaman & Nicobar Police working on under the direction of the DGP for the protection of children. The Superintendent of Police, North & Middle Andaman, Mr Perminder Goel also briefed the various workshops conducted in collaboration with the gram Panchayats at N&M Andaman.
Further addressing the annual conference, the Superintendent of Police, South Andaman Mr Atul Kumar Thakur said that the police have initiated a process called ‘know your case’ through which the complainant can know the status and progress of the case.
He said that the tourist police will be introduced soon in the islands. He also added that on every 2nd of the month the South Andaman Police is conducting mock drills.
Lastly addressing the conference, the Superintendent of Police, Traffic, Mr R K Pandey said that the traffic police is taking various steps to control drunk and driving in the city and will not tolerate drunk and driving in any case. He said that a proposal has been sent to the administration for constructing multi level parking place in various parts of the city.

Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Jan 14: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today arrested Mr. Deepak Jha, the General Secretary of A & N State BJP unit for allegedly taking an amount of Rs. 7 lakh from a family to arrange admission to a child of the family in Medical College.
As per details, when the deal went wrong for some reasons, the family after paying the amount last year, registered a complaint in Anti- Corruption unit two months back.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, Mr. Atmaram Deshpande, IPS, Superintendent of Police (CID) said that the case was later transferred to CID unit. After investigating the case Mr. Jha was arrested today by the CID team under section 420 read with 34 IPC.
Mr. Jha will be produced in court tomorrow in Holiday court.
“We are following the procedure as per law,” added Mr. Deshpande.
The official quote from BJP could not be obtained as the spokesperson of A & N BJP unit was unavailable over phone.

Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Jan 13: While the Municipal Council suffers from acute fund deficit to execute developmental projects, traders in the city and South Andaman region have devised a mechanism to dodge the agency from paying octroi tax.
Large amount of cargo particularly hardware and electronic items imported from mainland for trading in the local markets are reportedly unloaded at Mayabunder, tax free zone, and later transported to Port Blair by road.
The arrangement has been reaping huge profits for some traders, but divested the Municipal Council of funds generated by Octoi tax, one of the crucial revenue generation modes.
As per the modus operandi, many traders import products like steel rods and other construction materials from Kolkata and book tonnes of cargo on ships bound for Port Blair via Mayabunder.
On arrival at Mayabunder Jetty, the businessmen unload the consignment and book goods vehicles to transport the consignment to Port Blair by road to escape octroi tax on the imports.
In the absence of any Toll Naka and Tax Collectors at the entry points to the city, the traders easily transport the products to vend them in wholesale and retail markets. In the process, the Municipal Council is stripped of huge funds collected through Octroi tax from traders for importing products from mainland.
According to reports, the regular sailings of vessels from Kolkata to Port Blair via Mayabunder as per the schedule prepared by the Directorate of Shipping Services is promoting the unlawful import of products without paying taxes.
“We face a lot of pressure from a few high profile businessmen and politicians for deploying mainland bound ships via Mayabunder. We’re helpless and are forced to prepare such schedules,” said an official of the Shipping Department requesting anonymity.
Sometimes this excess Cargo is 30 Tonnes, sometimes it is 100 Tonnes, which can’t be for the local need of North and Middle Andaman, he added.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha, the Chairperson, Municipal Council, Smt Sheela Singh said that a lot of complaints have already been received regarding such activities by businessmen. The issue will be placed before the Council meeting to implement some measures to prevent activities that cause losses to PBMC, she added.

Murlidharan Pillai
Mayabunder, North Andaman, Jan 13: The Andaman and Nicobar police has arrested a 21 year old youth from Tugapur area of Mayabunder region for attempting to molest a 12 year old minor girl.

According to sources the accused namely Suresh Ram was arrested when mother of the minor girl lodged an FIR at Mayabunder Police Station.

According to police, the incident took place on Monday last when the mother of the victim was away, taking advantage of which the youth allegedly entered her home and tried to molest the girl.

As per details when the girl raised alarm by shouting the accused ran away from the spot, who was later nabbed by police.

The accused was later sent to Port Blair and produced before the court from where he has been sent to 14 days Judicial Remand.