ANDAMAN SHEEKHA

The True Mirror of A & N Islands

Residents of Little Andaman Demand Power Backup and Improved Facilities at Hut Bay STARS Ticketing Counter

by Leave a Comment

Vikramaditya
Hut Bay, June 14: Residents of Little Andaman have raised urgent demands for the installation of a power generator set or inverter at the STARS ticketing counter in Hut Bay due to frequent power cuts, which disrupt their ability to purchase ship tickets. Many residents, who often travel from distant areas by bus, find themselves returning empty-handed when the counter is unable to operate due to a lack of power.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha, Mr. Vasudevan Nair, Zilla Parishad Member, Hut Bay, emphasized the critical role of the ticketing counter at Hut Bay. “The ticketing counter is one of the most crucial offices in Little Andaman, and a large number of residents depend on it for booking ship tickets,” he stated.
Mr. Nair highlighted that many villagers are unfamiliar with the process of buying tickets online and cannot afford the additional fees charged by computer centers for this service. “For these individuals, the ticketing counter is their only hope,” he explained. He urged the Department of Shipping to consider installing a small generator or inverter at the counter to ensure uninterrupted service. “At least a UPS with a good backup must be installed so that in case of a power cut, tickets can still be issued for an hour or two,” he suggested.
In addition to the power issues, Mr. Nair also pointed out the lack of essential facilities at the ticketing counter, such as security guards and cleaning staff. “People use the toilet blocks, and there must be someone to clean them. The ticketing counter also needs daily cleaning,” he added, stressing the need for proper maintenance of the facility.

Police Station Hut Bay tough on Illicit Narcotics; Seizes 520 Gram Of Crystalline Methamphetamine and 230 Grams Illicit Ganja

by Leave a Comment

Port Blair, June 14: Continuing the action against illegal activities in Hut Bay Jurisdiction, the Police team of Hut Bay seized huge quantity of crystalline Methamphetamine weighing 520 GRAM and 230 GRAMS Illicit Ganja. Accordingly, a case under NDPS Act registered at Police Station Hut Bay.

On 13/06/2023 at 2130 hrs., a credible information received from reliable source that one person is illegally Selling Ganja (Cannabis) and Methamphetamine from his home if raid conducted Illicit Ganja (Cannabis) and Methamphetamine can be recovered. Subsequently, the above information was passed on to SDPO Swaraj Dweep, who then directed to conduct raid immediately. Acting immediately, a Police team comprising of SI Somen Kr. Haldar, SHO PS Hut Bay, HC Arvind Kumar Kerketta, PC Anbhu Kumar, IRBn Ct Narayan, HC(D P. Thanga Durai and independent witnesses was formed under the supervision of Shri. Manasvi Vashistha, SDPO (Swaraj Dweep). The raid was conducted in presence of Shri Cherian Methew, BDO, Little Andaman and recovered the above mentioned seized articles from the Poultry Shed from the premises of accused Joydev Sarkar. The Illicit Ganja and methamphetamine tested Positive by drugs detection Kit. Then the accused Joydev Sarkar S/o Shri Asit Sarkar (32) yrs Pvt Worker R/o R.K. Pur Ward No.11, Little Andaman was arrested on 14/06/2024 at 0030hrs after observing all Codal Formalities and brought to PS Hut Bay for registration of FIR No. 34/24 dated 14/06/24 U/s 22(c)/20(b)(ii) A of NDPS Act 1985 and the investigation of case is under progress. The overall search operation was conducted under the supervision of Miss. Shweta K. Sugathan, IPS, Superintendent of Police, South Andaman District.

South Andaman District Police take reports of drug dealing and suspicious activity seriously, and urge general public to continue reporting their concerns at 100, 112 & 03192-232100, 03192-232400, 03192284208. The people of Little Andaman also urged to come forward to pass information if any suspicious Drug articles/suspicious packets are kept hidden in Jungle/lonely sea beaches so we can respond immediately. The identity of the informant will be kept secret. “Our Mission is Drug free Society”.

 

Severe Shortage of Staffs hits Hut Bay Unit of Electricity Department

by Leave a Comment

Venkat
Port Blair, Aug 26: Mrs. M Papi Naidu, Pradhan of Gram Panchayat, Hut Bay of Little Andaman today alleged that due to shortage of staffs it has become difficult to maintain Power supply in Hut Bay region, Little Andaman.
In a letter addressed to the Editor of Andaman Sheekha Daily, the Pradhan of Gram Panchayat pointed out that the Assistant Engineer Electricity Department Hut Bay has made several correspondences through the Executive Engineer (SAD) with the Superintending Engineer Electricity Department Port Blair regarding posting of staffs to Hut Bay but till date no action has been taken in this regard.
She alleged that the division is facing difficulty in maintaining of Power supply to Hut Bay, Little Andaman due to severe shortage of staffs.
She added that the Division presently has only 3 to 4 Mazdoors for the maintenance of T&D works.
She further mentioned that she along with Pradhan of Netaji Nagar has also taken up this matter in many occasion with the SE (Elect) departments for redressal of the grievance but no initiative action has been taken by SE (Elect) department/ Secretary Power till date for which people of this area are facing difficulties.

Sufficient beds available at Little Andaman; In case of any emergency evacuation can be done by helicopter: Deputy Director Health

by Leave a Comment

John Wilbert & Savita Kumari
Port Blair, June 20: The Deputy Director of Health Dr. Amitabha De today assured media persons that sufficient numbers of beds are available at Little Andaman for COVID-19 patients and proper arrangements for treatment of COVID-19 patients have been done by the Health Department.
While replying to a question raised by mediaperson about number of beds and arrangements done for COVID-19 patient of Little Andaman, Dr. Amitabha De said that there are two PHCs at Little Andaman, PHC RK Pur and PHC Hutbay and both the PHCs have altogether 40 beds. He said that additionally there are some more beds available at COVID Care Centers of Little Andaman.
The DD Health said that most of the cases at Little Andaman are asymptomatic and it is only during testing they have been found COVID-19 positive.
“DHS personally went to Little Andaman along with the DC, SA. One Medical specialist has been deputed on duty at Little Andaman for any kind of emergency. Sufficient amount of Oxygen is available at Little Andaman and in case of any emergency evacuation of patient can be done by Helicopter,” Dr. De added.
He assured that the Health Department is constantly monitoring the situation.

Social worker of Little Andaman urges to establish Entrance Exam Centers in various Districts of Andaman

by Leave a Comment

Port Blair, Jun 08: Mr. P K Haldar, senior social worker of Little Andaman has urged to establish new exam centers in Port Blair, Mayabunder, Hut Bay and Car Nicobar Islands for ensuring entrance examinations for NEET, JEE & NDA.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Haldar pointed out that during the month of May 2021, a number of school students and their parents came to Port Blair from far-flung Islands for attending the entrance tests for NEET, JEE & NDA. Many of the students belong to cut- off / remote Islands could not come to Port Blair for Covid-19 pandemic for then above tests.
He added that at the last hour, all the entrance test examinations were postponed one after another. Lockdown resulted in cancellation of ships due to which many of the children and their parents are stranded at Port Blair city for around two months.
Mr. Halder mentioned that one of the guardians, namely Late Mr. Prabhash Haldar, came from Little Andaman expired due to COVID-19 during the stay at Port Blair.
He urged that it is now necessary to make arrangements to establish entrance test centers in the following major Islands, which will definitely help the students, belongs to the remote Islands particularly in Port Blair, Mayabunder, Hutbay and Car Nicobar Islands.

Pradhan of Hut Bay demands ship for people stranded at Port Blair

by Leave a Comment

Venkat
Port Blair, May 31: Mrs. M Papi Naidu Pradhan of Gram Panchayat, Hut Bay of Little Andaman has urged the Deputy Commissioner South Andaman to provide a ship for the stranded passengers of Little Andaman at Port Blair. She suggested that if sending ship is not possible during this time of pandemic then at least the District Administration must provide lodging and boarding for the stranded passengers at Port Blair.

In a letter addressed to the Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman the Pradhan of Hut Bay pointed out that people of Little Andaman, who are stuck at Port Blair due lockdown, are in pathetic and miserable condition.
She further mentioned that there are nearby 250-350 people stranded at Port Blair, all these peoples visited Port Blair for various purposes, especially for treatment.

Social distancing goes for a toss at STARS Ticketing Counter of Hut Bay

by Leave a Comment

Vikramaditya
Port Blair, June 02: The STARS Ticketing counter of Hut Bay was a visual of chaos this morning as rules and regulations of social distancing went for a toss when hundreds of people gathered for buying ferry tickets without worrying about social distancing.
Not only this to the utter dismay, a large number of people came to buy ticket without even wearing a face mask. As per sources after several hours a few cops came to regulate the crowd but it is still not known whether any fine was imposed on anyone for violating social distancing and face mask norms.

Congress wins Bye Elections at Little Andaman

by 1 Comment

DJ Venkatesh
Hut Bay, Oct 29: The Bye Election results of Little Andaman was declared today. The Elections were held yesterday on 28th Oct.
As per details, Mr. Babul Das from Netaji Nagar and Mrs. Papi Naidu from Hut Bay, both from Congress party, won the Pradhan seats by defeating BJP candidates.
Congress won Netaji Nagar with 174 votes while Hut Bay seat with more than 500 votes. The elections were held peacefully.

Withdrawal of Code of Conduct; Congress leaders stage Chakka Jam at Hut Bay

by Leave a Comment

Hut Bay Correspondent
Port Blair, Sept 19: A few congress leaders along with party workers today staged Chakka Jam at Hut Bay bazaar area.
According to reports the Congress leaders were fuming over removal of code of conduct before conduct of elections for Netaji Nagar and Hut Bay Panchayat and also not intimating the same to them.
Sources told Andaman Sheekha that Elections for these two panchayats are scheduled to be held on 14 October 2018, for which code of conduct came into effect in these two regions since 14 September 2018. Now for some reasons yesterday an order was received by Tehsilder that the Code of Conduct has been withdrawn with immediate affect till further orders.
The date for filling nomination was 14 September to 19 September 2018.
Unaware of this new direction Congress Candidates today came for filling nomination but could not do so as the Code of Conduct was been withdrawn. At the same time as Code of Conduct was withdrawn the old Panchayat set up became active and automatically got power to carryout any pending business like issuing work order.
Angry over this sudden move some congress leaders today staged protest and demanded to code of conduct again for these two panchayat and staged Chakka Jam at Hut Bay Bazaar.
On getting information, The SHO of Little Andaman, Sub Inspector M Saravanan reached the spot and talked the situation and brought the protesting leaders to Tehsilder Officer where after discussion the protest was withdrawn.

Little Andaman man sets wife on Fire after quarrel

by Leave a Comment

Ganesh Sarkar & Sarthak Kanjilal

Little Andaman, Dec 12: A resident of Ward Number 6, R K Pur, Little Andaman was arrested by Police this morning for allegedly setting his wife on Fire after a quarrel.

As per report the relation between the man and his wife was not good since a long time. The couple used to have regular fights on various issues it is learnt. The Copra Business of the man, Basudeb Maity, 29 years, was shut down long back, which was said to the main reason behind regular fights.

Sources said that today following an argument, the man allegedly poured kerosene on the lady and set her on fire.  It is learnt that the lady Srayasi Maity, 22 years, suffered 63 percent burn injuries. The victim has been referred to G B Pant Hospital, it is learnt.

Case under section 307 has been registered against the accused and he will be brought Port Blair tomorrow for producing him in front of the Court.