Port Blair, Aug 20: Hundreds of daily rated workers, including a sizeable number of women workers, working in the Andaman Public Works Department, organized under the banner of Andaman Sarvajanik Nirman Vibhag Mazdoor Sangh (affiliated to Centre of Indian Trade Unions), staged a mass demonstration in front of the office of the Chief Engineer, APWD today at 4 p.m. demanding grant of 1/30th of pay plus DA scheme to all the daily rated workers of APWD, regularization of the services of daily rated workers, grant of Bonus, etc. After the Mass Demonstration, the workers took out a massive procession which went round the thoroughfare of the Port Blair town before culminating in a public meeting at Tiranga Park, Aberdeen Bazar.
Addressing the workers both in front of Chief Engineer’s office and at Tiranga Park, Shri B. Chandrachoodan, President of the ASNVMS criticized the authorities in the APWD for not extending the rightful benefit of 1/30th of the pay plus DA Scheme to the daily rated mazdoors working in APWD despite taking up the matter by the Union for a long period. The Union will continue to organize such programmes in future also. Shri A. Bhoominathan, General Secretary of ASNVMS also addressed the meeting. Several hundreds of workers participated in the programme unmindful of the rain.
Similar programme of Mass Procession was organized at Diglipur under the North Andaman Public Works Union (CITU) in which a large number of daily rated workers of APWD in North Andaman participated. The programme was led by Shri Madan Mohan Das, General Secretary of the Union.
Similar rally was also organised at Diglipur Islands, in which more than 200 workers participated.

Port Blair, Aug 19: With a great effort of South Andaman police unit the biggest burglary case in Andaman’s history has finally been solved.
Acting very swiftly the team of South Andaman police unit, consisting of staffs of PS Aberdeen and the Burglary Squad worked out the case wonderfully and solved the case within few months.
On 14 March 2015 some people entered KS Finance & SPS Finance shop (housed in single shop) at Shivram Complex and ran away with nearly 5 KG of gold worth nearly 1 crore and 50 lakhs, which is considered as one of the biggest burglary in the history of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Although the case has been cracked and almost all accused have already been arrested by police but in this entire episode there are several gaps.
Firstly the story has proved again that how some Jewellery shops in Port Blair and also in Mainland India are buying stolen gold openly. This shows total lack of fear of law among some gold merchants of these Islands.
Secondly most of the gold was taken out of Port Blair city to Chennai, within a few days of the burglary in a well planned manner in which women, family members of the accused persons, were also allegedly involved. This shows that there are still pores in our security network as taking away nearly 3.5 to 4 kg of gold (after selling some gold in Andaman) from these Islands is not an easy task.
If such huge amount of illegal gold can be taken to mainland from Port Blair then in this same way illegal gold can also be brought inside Port Blair. Airport is a place where we are supposed to have several layers of intelligence network, which has failed completely in this case, it seems.
The most important point is that the Gold recovered from the accused in much less than the actual amount of gold the burglars took away. Many believe that it is difficult to get the stolen money as money can be spent but stolen gold can be traced out and hence in case of burglary of gold the recovery percentage is very high.
There are also allegations that gold ornaments of many accused persons have also been seized by police in this case and hence the recovery should have been more than the actual amount of gold stolen but in this case only 3.2 kg of gold could be recovered by police.
Experts believe that police team should be allowed to interrogate the accused persons for some more days so that remaining nearly 1.8 kg of gold could be traced out. As the case is in court now the hands of police is also tide-up it seems. Now the question arises what will happen to rest nearly 1.8 kg of gold? If the victim has not got his gold back and if police has not found the rest amount of gold, who will finally walk away with the cake. 1.8 kg of gold has huge market value and this angle needs special attention.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, the former DGP Mr. Sudhir Yadav had lauded the efforts of South Andaman Police Unit consisting of Dy.SP Mr. Mohd. Aslam, SHO PS Aberdeen, Inspector Sanjay Kumar, ASI Mr. Rashid and entire PS Aberdeen and Burgarly squad team under the leadership of SP, Mr. Shibesh Singh for cracking this case. Mr. Sudhir Yadav had especially lauded the efforts of SHO PS Aberdeen, Mr. Sanjay Kumar who stayed at Chennai for nearly 50 days to arrest the accused. Hope the police team will not leave the case here and public hopes that the remaining nearly 1.8 kgs of gold will be recovered soon.

Muralidharan Pillai
Mayabunder, Aug 19: It seems getting a LPG Cylinders has become the most difficult task in Mayabunder region.
In several occasions in past, Andaman Sheekha and Channel One News have reported about poor LPG Cylinder distribution system in Mayabunder region but it seems that no action has been taken by CCS or Civil Supplies Department yet to manage the LPG crisis in Mayabunder region.
Today also the same struggle and scuffle could be seen at Mayabunder region where since 6.00 AM in the morning people with empty LPG cylinders were driving from one village to another to get hold of LPG distribution truck.
Those who found the truck made a long beeline behind the truck but wherever the truck stopped for distribution there were fight among people.
While people in the beeline were trying their best to get LPG cylinder first, people of villages were protesting against giving cylinders to outsiders.
Many could not manage a LPG cylinder even after a struggle for nearly 10 hours.
Public of Mayabunder allege that LPG cylinder could hardly reach Mayabunder as people of villages between Billyground to Mayabunder region, stop the trucks in their villages forcefully and take away all the cylinders, leaving nothing for people of Mayabunder area.
This seems that the LPG distribution system of Mayabunder region has totally collapsed and hence the CCS and Civil Supplies department must pay special attention to Mayabunder region to give some relief to the villagers.

Sheekha Bureau
Port Blair, Aug 18: Expressing deep concern over recent incidents of crocodile attacks, the Lt. Governor today said crocodile attack on beaches is not acceptable.

It is worth mentioning here that on November 4, 2014, the Lt. Governor of the Islands had ordered immediate steps for ensuring the safety of visitors at the beaches including the issue of threats from crocodiles at all public beaches frequented by tourists.

“One of the interim measures to be implemented will be plying of motor boats in and around these beaches so as to ward off crocodiles venturing into the areas,” Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lt. Gen (Retd.) A K Singh had said in his direction.

The Forest Department was directed to look into long term measures, such as putting up safety wire nets, during the meetings.

This is now clear that no such precautionary steps have been taken by Forest Department yet, to save local public and tourists from crocodile attacks at prominent beaches.

When this matter was pointed out by Andaman Sheekha, the Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lt. Gen (Retd.) A K Singh today said the PCCF must act promptly on instruction issued and croc attack on beaches is not acceptable.

On 15 August a Home Guard Jawan was attacked by crocodile at Tourist favourite Wandoor beach of South Andaman while on 17 August a Jarawa man was attacked by Crocodile inside Jarawa Reserve Forest. Thankfully in both the cases the victims survived the attack.

In past several such incidents of Crocodile attack has been reported from various other tourist favourite beaches of A & N Islands, one of the victims was a tourist from New Jersey, Lauren Failla, who was killed by a saltwater crocodile while snorkeling in Neil Cove beach of Havelock Island in April 2010.

Sanjith Das
Port Blair, August 18: An engine Dinghy loaded with cargo capsized this morning near Corbyn’s Cove after it hit the rock bed, situated infront of Hornbill Nest.
According to eye witnesses the incident took place at around 7.30 am. There were two people onboard Mr. Amrish and Mr. Ravi, who later came out of the sea by their own. However, by that time boats of PMF reached the spot.
One of the persons onboard reportedly suffered some injuries but for safety both of them were later taken to hospital for medical attention.
According to reports the engine dinghy, loaded with cargo was heading towards Havelock from Brookshabad, when this incident took place.

Sarthak Kanjilal & Sanjith Das

Port Blair, Aug 16: Once again an incident of deadly crocodile attack has been reported from South Andaman region. In this case a Home Guard, Abhijeet Ekka has been attacked by a saltwater crocodile on Saturday at around 2:40 p.m at Wandoor beach.

As per reports, the Home guard Jawan who is posted at District jail was swimming at Wandoor beach when this incident happened.

Eyewitnesses told Andaman Sheekha that when the crocodile attacked the Home Guard Jawan he repeatedly attacked the eyes of the crocodile, which is the key reason, he survived deadly attack.

As per report the victim has told police that the crocodile has attacked him repeatedly during which he got major injuries on his left thigh and right arm. Besides this he got serious cut marks on his neck and shoulders from the nails of the crocodile.

The crocodile bite on the left thigh of Abhijeet damaged a blood vessel, which resulted in profuse bleeding, but anyhow Abhijeet managed to survive the attack.

A police team immediately reached to the spot and took Abhijeet to Primary Health Centre Manglutan in police jeep from where he has been reffered to Port Blair’s G B Pant Hospital, where his treatments are on.

Sources told Andaman Sheekha that since morning the crocodile was seen in the beach following which police and forest officials posted at Wandoor beach brought all public out of sea.

“But after sometime another batch of nearly 50 people went inside the sea, ignoring the warning and when Police and forest officials warned them again only 30 came out of the sea, while 20 others continued to ignore warning and just then the attack took place,” said a police official who doesn’t want his name to be quoted.

In past several such incidents of Crocodile attack has been reported from various other tourist favourite beaches of A & N Islands, one of the victims was a tourist from New Jersey, Lauren Failla, who was killed by a saltwater crocodile while snorkeling in Neil Cove beach of Havelock Island in April 2010.

Port Blair, Aug 14: The Secretary Civil Supplies today reviewed the position of availability of Onion in the open market, in the light of the recent hike in onion prices.
It is understood that the spurt in prices was due to the shortage of onion stocks with the major suppliers. While the shipments of onion had started from Chennai, unloading was a major issue on account of the unavailability of labour at the shipyards, particularly on account of two holidays due to Independence Day and Sunday.
Through the combined efforts of the Department of Civil Supplies and the Directorate of Shipping, it is being ensured that the shipments would be unloaded immediately upon arrival. It is to be hoped that the replenishment of stocks would bring down the onion prices which had skyrocketed in the last fortnight.
The position regarding LPG supply was also reviewed in the context of a recent report in a section of the press regarding the virtual stoppage of LPG supply in Mayabunder. According to information available with the Manager, Consumer Cooperative Store, there are approximately 1700 LPG consumers at present in Mayabunder.
The average weekly requirement of Mayabunder is about 125 cylinders at the most. The Manager, Consumer Cooperative Stores informed that 296 LPG cylinders are being delivered at Mayabunder today and the next consignment of LPG would be delivered on the 18th of August, i.e on Tuesday, about four days later. The IOCL is in the process of identifying agency that may deliver LPG twice a week to ensure adequate supply of LPG in Mayabunder. The Area Manager, LPG (IOCL) is already in Mayabunder to assess the situation and take remedial measures.

Staff Correspondent
Port Blair, Aug.14: The Director General of Police (DGP), Shri Sudhir Yadav has appealed to the people of the Islands to keep continue to have faith in the police services.
Police personnel are part of the society and their family are its members, he said while addressing a press meet in the NGOs Mess at Police Line here this evening. The Police personnel are always discharging their duty with dedication and full responsibility, maintaining law and order, peace and in safeguarding the people of the Islands, including tourists, he said.
Highlighting the activities which have been performed during his three years as DGP, Shri Yadav said that he had achieved success to some extend in steering the Organisation. This, he said he could do with the support of his colleagues, the Islanders as also people from different organization/institutions, including ACCI, PRIs, SSWAB and many other organization, from whom he gets feedback and initiated actions to empowered the personnel in delivering better services.
The DGP expressed satisfaction over the performances of the police personnel in resolving various cases of different kinds, including burglaries, narcotic trafficking and other such crimes. He said that the personnel are well prepared to meet any situation, be its natural or manmade disaster and the Organisation is liberal in rewarding its personnel for the good works. The Police organization, which has the present capacity of 4500 plus officials and constable, including those in the Police Marine Force, Police Radio, Police Fire Services and IRBn is catering to the security need at various difficult look-out post, including Thilanchong, Narcondum, Afra Bay, Indira Point, Interview Islands etc. where there is no means of reaching those outposts, he said. Besides participating in functions of national importance, the police personnel also provide security services wherever required, such as security for VVIP visits etc. he said and attributed the success in the security measure as a results of their combine efforts.
Shri Yadav also highlighted the various activities for the welfare of the police family. These include establishment of entertainment center, coaching center for students children of the personnel, library and computer center, which are being used by the police children as study centers. He expressed gratitude to the people of the Islands and urged them to continue help the police personnel do their duty.

Staff Correspondent
Port Blair, Aug 13: The Mondal President, Harinagar Mondal, Middle Andaman has accused the management of Mahatma Gandhi Government College, Mayabunder of contravention of rules for appointment of Assistant Professor (History) on contractual basis in the institute. The MGGC advertised vacancies notification last month for filling up of Assistant Professors (Contract) in the disciplines of History, Economics, Commerce and Geography.

Though interview of candidates vying for the vacancies in Geography, Commerce and Economics Departments was conducted on Wednesday, the Selection Committee called off the interview of candidates for the vacancies in History Department on ground which the Mondal President claims to be against the prescribed rules.

In a complaint to the Member of Parliament, the Mondal President claimed that the verification of certificates of all candidates was conducted by the members of the Selection Committee as per schedule from 9 am. “Later, the candidates for the disciplines of Geography, Commerce and Economics were interviewed. But the candidates competing for the vacancies in the Department of History were kept waiting till 1.30 pm.

At about 2.30 pm, the Chairman of the Selection Committee informed that the interview has been called off as one of the two candidates was awarded a Ph.D degree in 2004 and other in 2014. Both the candidates did not submit certification of exemption from NET (National Eligibility Test) and hence are not eligible for the vacancies, the Chairman reportedly said.”

As per the UGC norms, candidates awarded Ph.D before 2009 are automatically exempted from NET.

As such, one of the candidates, Dr. Modhi Dhan, was eligible for the contractual post in the Department of History. But declaring his candidature is a gross violation of the rule at the behest of Dr Prabhuram, who was not even a member of the interview board, alleged the Mondal President.

“Similarly job interviews were also conducted for institutions like JNRM and ANCOL and candidates with Ph.D degrees awarded before 2009 have been selected and appointed in the institutions.
There cannot be two set of rules, one for JNRM and ANCOL and the other for MGGC. It’s ironic that the same person was a member of the interview board for selection of Assistant Professors (Contract) for ANCOL and JNRM and even one candidate with a Ph.D degree in the year 2004 was appointed. But in the case of MGGC, discrimination is being resorted to by way manipulation of rules,” said the Mondal President seeking the intervention of the Member of Parliament to seek justice for the qualified candidates.

Ganeshan

Port Blair, Aug 13: The Baratang Fiber Boat Owners Association has withdrawn their hunger strike today after they got assurances from the Chief Secretary of Andaman Nicobar Administration. According to reports a meeting was held at Chief Secretary’s Chamber between the Fiber Boat owners and the Chief Secretary this morning. On behalf of Fiber Boat owners Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, President, PCC, Mr. Khurma Rao, ZP, SA member and a few other members of BFBOA.

During the meeting it was reportedly assured by the Chief Secretary that the Fiber Boat Owners of Baratang will be given 50 percent subsidy in purchasing new Fiber Boats, which are approved by IRS, not only this, they have also been assured that the rate of interest on the loan for purchase of Fiber Boat will be reduced.

Following this the fiber boat owners of Baratang have agreed to withdraw their Hunger Strike and at 5 p.m. today the hunger strike ended at Baratang.

The Baratang Fiber Owners Boat Association started indefinite hunger strike on 10 August 2015 protesting against IRS Survey, which they fear will reduce the carrying capacity of fiber boats and cause huge loss to them.