Murlidharan Pillai
Mayabunder, Nov 05: The Island-Mainland Vessel MV Swaraj Dweep is again in news and as expected, again for all wrong reasons.
According to reports the wire rope (Pendant cable) of Inbuilt Crane of MV Swaraj Dweep today snapped while offloading containers at Mayabunder Jetty. Thankfully no one was injured in this accident but two containers have suffered heavy damages.
MV Swaraj Dweep today arrived from Kolkata to Mayabunder around 7.30am and during offloading the second container, the second containers fell on the first container on the jetty.
The incident left local people and businessmen of the area fuming as the containers contained valuable items brought from Kolkata.
On Oct 25 the ship MV Swaraj Dweep had lost one of its Anchors near Kolkata Port, allegedly, due to negligence and lack of proper maintenance.
Last year the vessel was supposed to be sent for Dry Dock for maintenance but instead of that the vessel was allowed to ferry public only after APS.
Many believe that had the vessel been taken to Dry Dock and proper maintenance work was carried out, such incidents could have been averted.
Hopefully before another major accident the ship will be sent to Dry Dock for total repair.

Rajesh & Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Nov 05: Angry villagers and all the Panchayati Raj Members of Wimberlygunj today staged dharna and roadblock, near the Primary Health Center, Wimberlygunj.
The annoyed villagers were protesting against shortage of Doctors in the Primary Health Center, Wimberlygunj.
Large number of vehicles and hundreds of people were stranded on the both the side because of the Chakka Jam today.
As per the villagers, the PHC, Wimberlygunj caters the public of nearly five Panchayats and the PHC used to witness nearly 150-180 patients in a day.
According to the villagers, earlier the PHC had two doctors but last week, one of the Doctor went on a leave and in the absence of that doctor the Director of Health Services didn’t provide any other doctor, which triggered this agitation.
Few years back PHC Wimberlygunj used to have four doctors but instead of increasing the number of doctors, for reasons unknown, only two doctors were posted in PHC Wimberlygunj, putting huge pressure on Doctors too.
“We are also requesting the DHS since one week to depute another doctor in the PHC but the DHS didn’t take our requests seriously, because of which we came out to protest,” said a PRI member of Wimberlygunj.
It is learnt that finally in the evening the DHS reached Wimberlygunj and met the agitating villagers and assured the villagers that from tomorrow onwards two doctors will start providing service in the PHC, Wimberlygunj.
Meanwhile, talking to Andaman Sheekha the Chairperson of South Andaman Zilla Parishad, Mrs. Menoti Biswas alleged that when she called up the Director of Health Services, the Director didn’t behave properly with the Chairperson.
“For the Director the PRI members are nothing. We will show her what PRI members can do,” said the Chairperson of South Andaman Zilla Parishad.
The DHS further assured the villagers that soon she will also appoint ward attendant and Aaya. After the assurance the villagers called off the dharna and roadblock.
A number of commuters faced a lot of troubles due to the roadblock.

Sarthak Kanjilal

Neil Island, Nov 04: Andaman and Nicobar Police has arrested one Snorkeling instructor from Neil Island for allegedly taking physical advantage of a Chennai based tourists, while taking her for snorkeling.

According to reports, the young tourist, who had come to Andaman and Nicobar Islands with her father, had complained to police guards present at Neil Island’s beach after coming back from snorkeling. The incident took place on 2nd November 2015.

According to the girl, her snorkeling instructor Rakesh Kumar Das, a resident of Neil Islands, took physical advantage of her in the pretext of teaching snorkeling.

Following the complaint the snorkeling instructor was arrested by police immediately.

When contacted the Dy.S.P of Havelock Island, Mr. B Saigal, confirmed the incident and said that the accused has already been sent to Port Blair today.

At Port Blair, the  snorkeling instructor Rakesh Kumar Das was produced before the court from where he has been sent to 14 days Judicial Remand.

Tiny Island, Neil, is fast becoming one of major tourist hubs of Andaman and Nicobar Islands after Havelock Island, both situated in the Ritchie’s Archipelago.

Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Nov 04: To boost the crucial shipping sector of these islands, the Directorate of Shipping Services has fast tracked all proposals on new acquisition of vessels.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha recently, the Director of Shipping Services, Capt. Rajinder Kumar informed that the Department is well sentient of the importance of the lifeline of the islanders. Besides striving to improve the operational capability of the existing Shipping fleet, best of efforts are underway to procure new ships, both for the mainland and inter-island sectors, Capt. Kumar said.
“The Ministry of Shipping has already approved construction of four passenger vessels at Cochin Shipyard under the Make in India plan. Two 1200 pax capacity vessels for the mainland sector and two 500 pax vessels will be constructed at Cochin Shipyard and the delivery of these vessels are expected within the next four years.”
For acquisition of smaller vessels for the fore-shore sector, tender procedures for purchase of 10 smaller vessels are currently underway. The Administration has already ordered SFCs for the purchase of smaller vessels like Harbour Craft and contracts are expected to be signed soon. The 10 smaller vessels are expected to be delivered within a period of 18 months after the execution of the contract, the Director informed.

Sheekha Bureau
Port Blair, Nov 03: The Special Investigation Team formed to crack the murder case of 25 years old lady of Machi Line, Shirine Mirza, is working day and night to find leads in this Murder case, which has become talk of the town now.
According to reports till now the police department has gathered all possible evidences but at some points, the investigators are finding no leads.
As per details, the lady had a fight with her husband on 30th September afternoon, at around 3:15 p.m. after which she came out of her house and went to her office at Machi Line, where she has been working.
According to details the lady stayed at the office for nearly 30 minutes and during this time she spoke to her colleagues and also to her mother over phone.
From office, she reportedly left for police station to register a complaint but that was the last time she was seen alive.
It is still a mystery that after 3.45 pm where the lady had gone and what really happed with her. She was wearing a Burkha, it is learnt.
Her body was found near Hornbill Resort next day at around 6.00 am. Post Mortem report has ruled out possibilities of rape but has indicated about a possible murder due to strangulation.

As she was not using any mobile phone, it has become too difficult to trace her last location for the investigators, who are not leaving any stone unturned to reach to the bottom of this case.
At around 4.00 PM, the road from Machi Line to Ram Krishna Mission usually remains full of college students, road Romeos and petty shop owners, but sadly no one has came forward yet to say that he or she has seen a lady, wearing Burkha and crossing the road on the day, at that point of time.
Perhaps this is the right time for people of the area, to come forward and help the police team to find some leads in this case. Infact any information, regarding the movement of a lady, in Burkha on Friday at around 4.00 pm, will be a great help for Police Department.

DJ Vekatesh
Port Blair, Nov 03: Rampant violation of safety regulations has brought the fore the urgent need to take preventive measures and educate tourist boat operators of Aerial Bay in Diglipur to ensure safety of tourists at sea.
During a surprise visit recently, the Assistant Commissioner of Diglipur found several tourists without life vests on board on their return to Aerial Bay Jetty from Ross and Smith Island. Boat operators, however, offered flimsy excuses to the Assistant Commissioner stating that the tourists removed the jackets just minutes before disembarking. The Assistant Commission immediately called the Police and got all the tourist boats checked for availability of life vests and other necessary gears.
According to information, during peak tourist season almost all the 12 tourist boats plying between Aerial Bay and Ross and Smith Island remain packed to capacity. But tourists immediately after noticing the Get Down Point at Aerial Bay Jetty start removing the life jackets ignoring the instructions of the Tourist Safety and Enforcement Team.
The situation turns more dangerous for tourists during low tides when boats get clutched with the beams of the jetty. Instructions have already been issued by the District Administration to all boat operators to ensure that life vests are put on by tourists till they disembark safely on the jetty. However, the violation of the official instructions continues unabated in the region.
Moreover, even the instructions on boat timings and fares are also flouted by the tourist boat operators. As per an official order, the Directorate of Tourism in the month of July this year fixed the rate and trip timings of Fiber Boats to Ross and Smith Island. For the minimum 5 pax, Rs.2,500/- and Rs. 300/- per additional pax subject to maximum passenger capacity of the boat and 4 hours of stay at Ross & Smith Islands.
However, boat operators allow visitors to stay at the Ross and Smith Island for just two hours including travel journey to generate more profits by accommodating extra tourists during the specified period. “Such open violation of safety measures seriously risks the lives of tourists visiting the Ross and Smith Island.
The administration has laid special emphasis on safety measures during sea journey after the Jan 26 boat tragedy. But the boat operators at Aerial Bay appear to care two hoots of the official instructions. Moreover, tourists are also fleeced by the boat operators who don’t allow them the prescribed 4 hours of stay at the tourist spot. The administration should immediately act to prevent any mishaps and ensure strict implementation of regulations by the Tourist Boat operators of Aerial Bay,” said a tour operator of Diglipur.