ANDAMAN SHEEKHA

The True Mirror of A & N Islands

Municipal Council is violating Animal Cruelty Act: Bishnu

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Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Apr 20: Targeting Municipal Council over arrests of local political leaders in ‘Cattle Pound Case’ the Member of Parliament of A & N Islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray today said that the Port Blair Municipal Council is openly violating the Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals Act.

Addressing a Press Conference at MP Bhawan, Port Blair today the Member of Parliament said the condition of all Cattle Pounds run by PBMC is pathetic.

“There is no water inside these Cattle pounds for impounded cattle. Every year five to six cattle are dying inside these cattle pounds. This is cruelty,” the MP said.

He added that the PBMC is charging Rs. 100 extra for impounded cattle as Feeding Charges, which is against law or any provision of PBMC.

“I ask the Secretary of PBMC how much quantity of Carbohydrates and proteins will be there on those fodders. There is no such law for imposing feeding charges from poor cattle owners,” Ray added.

Talking about the recent arrest of political leaders on “Cattle Pound Case” the MP said that the cattle were released by general public who could not bear the pain of watching sufferings of their cattle.

“I request the Lt. Governor to withdraw the case immediately,” Ray added.

Rain threat looms large over beach festival

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Port Blair, Apr 20: Will all hopes of Islanders to attend maiden Beach Festival be washed away? Administration and Port Blairians are keeping their fingers crossed as the weathermen have predicted that rain could play spoilsport during Saturday and Sunday.
As per last met department report, rain or thundershower may occur at a few areas, one or two spells may be heavy. Even the Google Weather report, which is quite accurate world wide, suggests that A & N Islands will receive thunder showers. Hope all these weather prediction will prove wrong and residents of Andaman and Nicobar Islands will be able to enjoy first ever beach festival of these Islands.

Naval Higher Command Officers Visit Port Blair

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Port Blair, Apr 19: 28 Officers from the Naval Higher Command Course (NHCC-24) led by Capt SB Kensur, alongwith Directing Staff, arrived Port Blair on 19 Apr 12 for a familiarisation visit.

During the visit the officers visited Headquarters, Andaman & Nicobar Command, where they were briefed about the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as well as ANC. The Officers also visited various Units, Components and Naval Ships of the Command.

During their stay the Officers will call on Honourable Lieutenant Governor at Raj Niwas. The Officers would witness the Amphibious Demonstration and will also visit places of interest in Port Blair viz. Cellular Jail (witness the light and sound show), National Memorial, Marina Park and Ross Island. The officers would depart Port Blair on 21 Apr 12.

Corbyn’s Cove gearing up for Beach Festival

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Preparations are on for much awaited beach festival, which is all set to begin from 20th April and shall continue till 22nd April, 2012. The Directorate of Tourism in association with Port Blair Municipal Council, ANIIDCO & Directorate of Sports, Arts & Culture and private tourism service providers is organising the three-day beach festival at Corbyn’s Cove. (Picture: Sarthak Kanjilal)

Narrow escape for Kolkata Bound Air India Passengers

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Special Correspondent
Port Blair, Apr 15: Nearly 35 Kolkata bound passengers from Port Blair today had a narrow escape, when the Air India Passenger Bus at Kolkata Airport developed some major defects and the locked Air India bus, filled with thick smoke, leading to suffocation.

According to passengers, there was some defect in the AC unit of the bus and when the bus started with passengers, it started emitting smoke. Soon the bus filled with think smoke triggering panic among passengers, who were totally helpless inside the bus.

“The driver was in a separate cabin and was unable to hear us properly. We were shouting but still he kept the doors locked. We were trapped inside the bus and many of us were coughing badly due to suffocation,” recalled one of the passengers.

According to passengers the driver later parked the bus near arrival gate anyhow and ran away, without even opening the doors.

“We were horrified and crying for help. Later a few staffs of Air India and CISF came but they remained as mute spectators. Luckily one of the passengers among us showed courage and broke the door glass panel of the bus. We all then forced opened the doors,” said the passenger.

The incident could have taken dangerous turn. Passengers could have died of suffocation, fire or a major blast and it is sad to note that Air India Staffs were unable to offer any help to the trapped passengers. Is this the level of crisis preparedness of CISF and Air India staff?

Bus Cleaner with fake driving license arrested with others

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Staff Correspondent
Port Blair, Apr 15: A & N Police today arrested a cleaner of a private bus ‘Nandana’ for rash driving and processing fake driving license.

According to information received here this afternoon, a cleaner of the private bus ‘Nandana’ had hit a two-wheeler. When the two-wheeler rider signaled him to stop, the cleaner, who is holding a fake driving license, did not stop the escaped but later the bus was circled near Goal Ghar. Soon PCR was called by public and senior officers of Police Department also reached the spot.

According to eye witnesses there were heated arguments at the spot and some bus drivers threatened to call a strike if the cleaner is arrested. But Police Officers showed exceptional courage and arrested the cleaner and seven others for rash driving, preventing government servants from performing his duty with several other charges.

By evening some buses went off the road, which caused great inconvenience to people, especially to those who come from remote villages of South Andaman everyday for job.

It has been learnt that the cleaner later disclosed that he had paid Rs. 4000 to someone in mainland for the fake driving license.

Passengers harassed, senior Citizens ill-treated at Mayabunder Jetty

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Mayabunder Correspondent
Mayabunder, Apr 15: Due to alleged ill-treatment and biased attitude of the PMB and DSS staffs, stationed at Mayabunder jetty, the passengers are facing untold difficulties while boarding the ferries.
Several incidents have been witnessed by the general public when women and senior citizens were ill-treated by the staffs of DSS and PMB. Senior citizens with luggage are not allowed to take an assistant to carry their luggage to boat, which is berthed at a distance of approx. 200 Mts. from the main gate.
Whenever senior citizens demand an assistant to carry his/her luggage to the boat, the staffs allegedly mis-behave with them and ask them to carry their luggage by their own. Though the check-in and sailing time, has a gap of 2 hours as per the tickets but the real practice of the staff concerned are contrary to the norms as the passengers are allowed to check in, only 15 Minutes prior to the sailing time.
The irony in this is that no visitors or assistants other than the officers with their family on their evening walk or the kith and kins of the jetty staffs are allowed inside the main gate during the sailing time. Officers concerned should look into the matter and take necessary measures to ensure a safe and happy journey for the passengers, including senior citizens.

Fire Service Week Begins

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Port Blair, Apr 15: On 14th April 2012 the “Fire Service Week” has commenced with the observance of “Commemoration Day” to pay homage to those brave fire fighters who laid down their lives while performing their duty.
Mr. Anand Mohan, IPS, Dy. Inspector General of Police (L&O) was the chief guest on the Commemoration Day Parade.
In his address, the Chief Guest highlighted the duties and responsibilities of Fire Brigade personnel towards safety of life and property of the islanders and also the role of Fire Brigade personnel in the event of any type of disaster in these Islands.
He appreciated the Fire Brigade personnel of A & N Islands for being alert and attentive in their job and exhorted them to maintain a high degree of professionalism while fighting against fire and disaster in these Islands. A two minutes silence was observed at Fire Brigade Parade ground in the memory of those Fire Brigade Personnel who sacrificed their lives during discharge of duty in the year 2011. The names of the martyrs are Late Sameer UmmerKutty (Firemen)-Kerala Fire Service, Late Vinod Kumar P (Fireman Driver Cum Pump Operator) – Kerala Fire Service, Late Ajay Kumar Chand (Fireman) – UttarPradesh Fire Service andLate HariLalYadav(Fireman) – UttarPradesh Fire Service.
Senior officers of the A & N Police witnessed the parade. The parade was followed by a fleet march of Fire Brigade vehicles in and around Port Blair Municipal area to promote awareness amongst the public about fire prevention.

Programme on ‘Baba Sahib’ by APTA

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Port Blair, Apr 15: To mark the 121st Birth Anniversary of Dr Bheem Rao Ambedkar, Andaman People Theatre Association (APTA) presented a programme entitled “Baba Sahib” at Safai Karmachari Residential colony at Buraksabad on 14th April 12 at 3.00 p.m.
Earlier, Mr. Nimai Chander Banerjee senior member of APTA highlighted about Dr. Bheem Rao Ambedkar and garlanded a photo of Dr. Ambedkar. The vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. Abhisekh Pal Assistant Director APTA.