Muralidharan Pillai
Mayabunder, Feb 05:Amidst the assurance of the SP, Andaman District that there is no report of kidnapping of any child and his request not to pay any heed to rumours of such incidents as reported in Andaman sheeka dated 5th Feb 2016, a case of attempt to kidnap a girl child aged four months from Tugapur-7 village has come to light today.
Shri. Arabilash Das and his wife Smt Bishaka Ganguly are residing in the village Tugapur-7 with their four months old girl child named Kumari Anishka Das.
The couple informed this reporter that on 4th February 2016 evening at about 6.30pm the mother was doing her house hold chores and the child was sleeping in the couch hanging made of cloth. The father Shri.Das had been to his sister’s home nearby- only few meters away. The mother went inside the kitchen to fetch something and suddenly she heard the child crying.
According to her statement, she rushed to the front room where the child was put to sleep and found that some unknown person had picked up the child from the couch and trying to flee away.
The panicked mother tried to catch the culprit but in vain as he had reportedly applied used up engine oil all over his body. Hearing the mother’s cry for help from the neighbours he threw the child behind and disappeared into the dark.
On hearing the mothers cry the neighbours and her relatives gathered for help but could not find anyone. They informed the police at Rest camp station immediately. But the parents and the neighbours complain that the police took more than an hour to reach the spot. The police, the relatives and the villagers conducted search operation of the entire area till midnight but with no results.
Based on the description furnished by the mother a local person residing nearby was picked up by the police team for interrogation but was let free as no relation to the case could be established.
Our Reporter when visited the spot today found that the victim family’s house is located just by the side of a main road. There are number of houses and small shops nearby and in no way the culprit could escape by road.
The big nallah connecting to Panighat or to Interview Island is not very far away from the spot. The Reporter has also seen the oil mark on mother’s hand which confirms that in order to escape; the culprit had held mothers hand and pushed. If it was a planned attempt by a professional kidnapper there are chances and it is the only way that he should flee through the above said nallah.
Although SP South Andaman’s statement that kidnapping cases are hoax, had brought some relief for public but this incident has again triggered fear amongst the local populace. This rumour has been spreading in this region for the past several weeks. Though this is a superstitious notion but what exactly is the reality?
When contacted the SP of North and Middle Andaman Mr. Parvinder Singh today said that a case has already been registered in this regard.
“We are looking for any clue. Nothing can’t be said at this point as there is only one witness in this case. We have collected cloth sample (baby) from the site for test,” the SP said.
Regarding rumours he said that there is no other case of any kind of kidnapping. “The rumour mongers must watch themselves. If anyone know about any such case or detail of anyone spreading such news can contact us,” the SP added.

 

DJ Venkatesh
Port Blair, Feb 04: Once again a mass hysteria has hit people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands following rumours about mass kidnapping of children from various corners of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Large number of people of N & M Andaman are reportedly reaching to jewellery shops to get ear piercing done for girl child as there is a rumour that girls with piercing are not being kidnapped. There are also rumour that only children of Anganwadi are being targeted.
Meanwhile Andaman Sheekha correspondent Rajesh from Bambooflat has reported that in Bambooflat area large number of people have said that tomorrow they will not send their kids to schools out of fear.
Some Watsapp messages of mass kidnapping sent by unscrupulous elements has worked as fuel to these fire.
However, the police department has categorically said that there is no report of any such kidnapping in Islands and this matter is a complete hoax.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha the Superintendent of Police Mr. Atul Kumar Thakur has said that there is no report of any kidnapping.
“There were two instances when two girls had run away from their home by their own for various reasons but in those cases also the girls have been traced out by police. I would request public not to pay heed to such rumours,” he said.
Regarding Watsapp messages he said that police department is having a cyber cell and such messages will be forward to cyber cell to trace out people, who are spreading such rumours.
“This is absolutely hoax. No such kidnapping gangs are operating in Andaman and Nicobar Islands,” the SP added.

Sarthak Kanjilal

Port Blair, Jan 28: Even as the Police has gone tough on import and sale of drugs, youngsters in the city particularly some school students are high on ‘Bhaang Goli’, a new found drug for many in the city.

The drug is fast gaining popularity as it’s easily available in the local markets, affordable and not in the list of banned drugs under the Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (NCB) Act, 1958.

Charas, ganja and bhang are obtained from different varieties of the same plant called ‘cannabis sativa’. However, Bhaang is associated to Hindu deities and people of these islands are well aware of Bhaang Golo and its availability in the local markets particularly traders of Ayurveda medicines.

As it remains almost undetected after consumption, some students are increasingly getting addicted to Bhaang Goli in the city, according to sources.

Many claims that  if it is taken in limited quantity, Bhaang Goli is good for health as it increases appetite and causes good sleep etc. But in excess, Bhaang Goli pumps up the heart rate, cause psychosis and blood pressure.

Sources claim that about many students of some prominent schools in the city consume Bhaang Goli on a daily basis.

“It’s quite a challenge for the police to check the trade of Bhaang Goli in the city. Several Ayurveda medicines contain Bhaang as an essential ingredient and such medicines are sold legally. School students easily fall into addiction of Bhaang as it remains almost undetected after consumption. Dealers of Ayurveda medicines sell the drugs containing Bhaang in huge quantities without doctor’s prescription,” said a resident of Port blair.

The Police should devise some innovative steps to check the sale of Bhaang Goli in the city. Similarly, efforts like restricting sale of ayurveda medicines that contain bhang strictly on doctor’s prescription will help curb the growing menace of Bhaang Goli to a great extent.

To check how easily Bhaang Goli is available in Port Blair, Andaman Sheekha has sent a decoy customer to buy Bhaang Goli from a prominent shop of Aberdeen Bazaar to our dismay he could easily purchase atleast five balls of Bhaang Goli from the shop at the rate of Rs. 100. This amount is enough to keep a dozens of students high for entire day.

Andaman Sheekha is ready to share all information in this regard with Police, if required, to eradicate this threat from our society.

DJ Venkatesh
Diglipur, Feb 02: A deadly accident was reported from Diglipur region where, two Dinghies collided each other near Aerial bay Jetty this evening.
As per reports one Engine Dinghy which was coming from Smith Island carrying teachers collided with an engine less Fisherman Dinghy on the way to Aerial Bay.
The two fishermen in the Dinghy fell into the sea because of the impact of the collision. The dinghy of the fishermen also filled with sea water.
A Coast Guard Jawan of ship C 145 Mr. Ranjan Dutta, EF who was onboard ship heard the screams of the people. Responding with lightening speed, he carried a rope and rescued the both fishermen with the help of the other people. The driver of the Engine Dinghy said to be in the influence of liquor.

Staff Correspondent

Port Blair, Feb 01: In a surprise development, the Directorate of Shipping Services of the UT Administration has initiated steps to commission a passenger vessel which served for over four decades in the Lakshdweep Islands.

According to reports, the Shipping Department is currently awaiting the approval of the Govt. of India for pressing the Ro- Ro type passenger vessel ‘MV Bharat Seema’ into service in these islands. The move is, however, likely to draw further flak for DSS which has been facing extreme criticism for its archaic flotilla of passenger and cargo vessels.

As per reports, 1973 built, M V Bharat Seema has served the Lakshadweep Islands for the last 40 years but now Lakshadweep has got a brand new vessel called MV Coral.

After the Ministry of Shipping sought the opinion of the DSS for Book Transfer of MV Bharat Seema into the local fleet, the DSS reportedly confirmed interest in inducting the vessel.

But the move has reportedly not gone well within local circles as DSS has been marred with an old fleet of vessels for long. “How can the top brass of the Administration justify the move of inducting a 40 year old vessel in the DSS fleet. The Shipping Department with its outmoded fleet of vessels has facing ire of the public for poor delivery of services. Instead of procuring new vessels, the DSS instead has opted to induct decades old vessel in its fleet,” said some locals.

Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, January 29: A moving truck fully loaded with mud overturned today at 11:30am at New Bimblitan area. The driver of the truck sustained major injuries on his left leg.
As per reports, while the loaded truck was going uphill from a road to hit the New Bimblitan main road, the gear of the truck slipped because of which the driver lost the control over the truck and the truck started rolling in reverse. Finally the truck overturned.
The driver of the truck got trapped under the truck and he remained under it for nearly one hour.
On information a team of Fire Brigade and Police reached the spot and after a great effort of more than an hour the driver was taken out of the truck and the driver was then immediately shifted to the nearby hospital by the team of Police.

DJ Venkatesh
Diglipur, Jan 28: In a shocking incident a group of high profile people of North Andaman region, who hold the responsibility of development of the region and maintaining clean image for others to follow, were found flaunting law of this land and consuming liquor at Ross & Smith Island, where taking alcohol is strictly prohibited.
It has been learnt that on 27 January, the Pradhan, Keralapuram Gram Panchayat, Shankar Das, Zilla Parishad Member Dipankar Mistry, Asst Engineer PRI Tripada Tikadar and few more people went to Ross & Smith Islands in two fiber boats ‘Sarla’ and ‘Ankit’ after obtaining permit from forest office at Aerial Bay.
Before boarding the boats, the security staffs at Aerial Bay jetty reportedly did not conduct any kind of checking of the boat
It is learnt that at Ross and Smith Island some of the people in this team were consuming alcohol at tree top hut at Smith
Island then they went to umbrella hut, which was objected by the Forest staff and Life Guards.
Once objected they started consuming alcohol, in the sea openly in front of tourists. As per details when the staff of the Forest Department and Life Guards of IP&T department objected to this, on the complaints of mainland tourists, they abused them with filthy language and started consuming more.
Feeling aggrieved the forest personnel filed a written complaint to the Deputy Forest Officer Diglipur regarding this matter. In the mean time the Life Guards informed the matter to Camp Officer of Aerial Bay & Smith Island who in turn informed the matter to the Range Officer Aerial Bay. Finally the matter was informed to the DFO. In the mean time Police personnel reached Aerial Bay and when the above personnel returned from Aerial Bay they were taken to PS Diglipur.
It is learnt, the forest department is planning to write to IP&T to suspend the permit of these two fiber boats for one month.
Adding to this it is learnt that the AE of Diglipur was partying at Ross and Smith but before that he had attended official duties and singed a few documents too.
It is learnt that today these people were again summoned at PS Dilgipur for questioning but it is still not clear that what action will be taken against them for violating the rules.
It is learnt that some people are now pressuring the complainant boy to withdraw his complaint and change the statement.

Sarthak Kanjilal

Port Blair, Dec 16: Good news for sports lovers, the next Andaman Marathon 2016 will be held on 14th February 2016.
In a press conference held at the conference hall of Hotel Sea Shell this evening Mr Mohd Jadwet, Ex- president, ACCI said that under the banner of ACCI in association with the Administration and Andaman & Nicobar Command the Andaman Marathon 2016 will be held on 14th February 2016 which has become a calendar event.
He said that this is year the celebrity guest is Mandira Bedi a renowned actress, philanthropist, TV actress who might not be running but will join for the cause and as usual the brand ambassador is Mr Rahul Bose, actor, philanthropist who is associated with the islands from the 2004 Tsunami.
“As usual the main sponsor for this event is makemytrip.com and we have a lot of co-sponsors and associate sponsors also,” Mr Jadwet said.
Further addressing the press conference Mr Jadwet said that the total cash money will be awarded in the marathon is Rs 8,60,000/- . “This year Andaman Chamber of Commerce is conducting this marathon in association with Andaman Administration and all its departments like Sports, Youth Affairs, Education department, the Health Department, the Police department plus the Andaman & Nicobar Command, which provide all possible support every year and also provide runners. Our Lt. Governor will flag off the marathon,” Mr Jadwet added.
The first major event is Half Marathon where most of the professional runners will be running the first prize for this half marathon will be Rs 1lakh, 2nd prize will be Rs 50000 and the third prize will be of Rs 30000 and there will be special prize for the islander i.e first prize Rs 50000, 2nd 30000, 3rd 20000.
The second event will be 10K which is the most popular event and not open for the professional runners and there is a special prize for senior categories Male and female i.e 1st prize of Rs 40000, 2nd 20000 and 3rd 15000,” Mr Jadwet further added.

The third major event is “run for fun” where the running will start from Cellular Jail to Netaji Stadium and this event will be “open to all” like anybody old or young can join this event, we are hoping for more and more people for joining this event.

He said that the registration will be closed on 10th February. The forms are available in the stadium as well as in the office of ACCI.
Further addressing the media, the Director of Sports and Youth affairs said that the department will provide all the technical support and monitor the entire run. He said that the department will be providing pilots in the lead and tail of race. He further added that previous year there were cases of dog bites and therefore this year the department had informed the concerned department to avoid this. He also added that the department had also contacted the Transport Department and the Directorate of Shipping Services for providing early travelling arrangements so that people for far flung areas can take part in the event.
Further addressing the conference the ACCI President, Mr Girish Arora requested the media to aware and encourage the people the benefits of running by doing more write-ups so that more and more people may take part in the event.

Sheekha Bureau
Port Blair, Jan 25: Mr. Naresh Chander Lal, son of this soil and prominent film and theatre director and producer has once again main Andaman and Nicobar proud as his name has been approved by President of India for Padma Sree award.
Mr. Lal who has already bagged several National Awards and Islands’ topmost honour LG’s Commendation Certificate twice, will be conferred with Padma Sree award by the President of India at ceremonial functions which will be held at Rashtrapati Bhawan around March/ April this year.
Mr. Naresh Chander Lal will be conferred Padma Sree for this contributions towards Art-theatre and Cinema.
Naresh Chander Lal is a Renowned Theatre Director and Film Maker of Andaman and Nicobar Islands who won many laurels and Awards in the National / International Film Festivals in India and brought name and fame to these Islands.

He is the only National School of Drama, New Delhi (Direction) graduate, from these Islands, passed out in 1990.

After graduating from NSD he triggered a Theatre Wave in these remote Indian Islands. In 1998 he introduced Nukkad Natak form of Drama in these Islands and presented shows on Alcoholism, Pulse Polio immunization programme, AIDS, Vanmahotsava, Family Planning, Women’s empowerment, Sanitation etc.

Most of the Artists, who are presently working for the promotion of Drama in A & N Islands, have been either trained by Shri Lal or worked under his own Registered Theatre group namely Andaman People Theatre Association (APTA) Port Blair.

Shri. Lal has presented his shows in almost all inhabited Islands of Andaman and Nicobar Chain, thus took Drama to India’s remotest corners.

He has worked with many Theatre personalities of India and abroad like Shri Ratan Thiyam, Late Shri B.V. Karanth, Shri. Satyadev Dubey, Shri. Prasanna, Pt. Narendra Sharma, Shri. Barry John, Shri. Ram Gopal Bajaj, Shri. Fritz Benewitz (Germany), Shri. John Kiromo Motsoi (Japan) and Shri. Kenneth Riya (London).

Going one step further, Shri. Lal has made four films so far in the Islands all depicting Islands Cosmo Culture. His films Gandhi The Mahatma (Feature Film), Amrti Jal (Short Film), Runway on the Sea (Documentary) and the Queen of Indigenous Island (Feature Film) have been screened many times by DD National Channel / DD Urdu Channel and at various National / International Film Festivals in India, thus taking Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the international audience, who got a chance to witness the unique Cosmo Culture of this Union Territory.

Recently Shri Lal’s film Gandhi The Mahatma was screened at London. For his meritorious services for more than 40 years in these Islands Shri Lal has been conferred with many awards like –

1) Hon’ble Lt. Governor’s Commendation Certificate – two times 26.01.1999 and on 15.08.2008 for Theatre / Film.
2) Decorated with Mahatma Gandhi Seva Medal by Gandhi Global Family, New Delhi for his film Gandhi The Mahatma.
3) Awarded Maja Koene Social Activist award by Cesi Switzerland on 06.11.2013.
4) Awareded Bharat Jyothi Award on 10.06.2013 by India International Friendship Society.
5) Himalaya Aur Hindustan Gaurav Samman by Himalaya Aur Hindustan Festival Dehradun.
6) Felicitated by Natrang on 06.04.2013 at J & K.

Shri Lal has worked with reputed film makers of India like – Maniratnam, Priyadarshan, Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra, Umesh Mehra, Boney Kapoor, Satish Kaushik and Ashok Gaikawad.

Shri Naresh Chander Lal has dedicatedly devoted his life for the development of performing arts activities especially drama and for the promotion of good Cinema at his native Place i.e. Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, January 24: An unknown and strange underground wirings have been found at Calicut, Supadi Basthi, which later triggered fear among the villagers.
As per reports, the workers of MGNREGA while digging earth for construction of road and drain yesterday at around 10:00 am found the mysterious and strange underground wiring network, which appeared like a copper and bronze wires.
Fearing that the wires could be connected to a bomb the workers immediately informed higher authorities of the Gram Panchayat, Calicut after which they were ordered to stop the digging work at the site.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, one of the workers said that initially even after seeing the wire they were digging the earth but while digging they noticed the earth below the wires are too loose and hence they stepped back.
“It looks very old and it can be a bomb, we fear,” the worker added.
Immediately the matter spread like a wildfire in the nearby villages and hundreds of people started visiting the place. On information by the PRI members, a team of Tylerabad Police reached the spot and started the investigation and further deputed a Police Constable at the spot, for the safety of public.
As per the police sources, the Tylerabad Police has informed the matter to the higher authorities of the police department and waiting for their directions to further investigate into the matter.
Police sources however have made it clear that it can’t not be bomb as the wires are of steel and appear to be electric wires, left behind by someone or laid by some agencies. Sources said that the police has written to all related departments to know, which department has underground cables in the area and the report will be obtained within three to four days.
This is not the first time in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands when people have found bomb inside the earth, there are many cases when people have found bomb inside the earth, while digging earth.
Some of the villagers also told Andaman Sheekha that in recent past some workers also found bomb while working at the ECR water tank which is just near to Supadi Basthi.