Tsunami-affected Farmers on Warpath Once Again

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | VOL 35 | ISSUE 20 | 2 DEC 2011

Tsunami-affected Farmers

on Warpath Once Again

By Staff Reporter

When the administration runs out of promises and solutions, they send the Tehsildars and Policemen to negotiate. Waiting seven years with a bundle of hollow promises hurled at them by the administration, the tsunami-affected farmers once again hit the road demanding distribution of the Rs 130 crore compensation package lying with the administration.

The tsunami affected farmers of South Andaman sat on a one-day token dharna at Tiranga Park on 24 November demanding the administration to immediately disburse the compensation package of Rs 130 crores sent by the Central Govt. Making their demands wide and clear, AP Mohammed, President, Gram Sudhar Sangham cautioned the administration not to play with their sentiments. He once again reiterated the long-forgotten demands of the tsunami farmers whose land is submerged under seawater. He also announced that the farmers will once again gather at Tiranga Park on the seventh anniversary of Tsunami to remind the administration about the promises made to them.

Speaking on the occasion, Manickam, Ex-Pradhan, Wimberly Gunj said that the farmers are left in the lurch without any clear explanation. He said that the farmers had demanded alternative land, but the administration failed to convince the Central Empowered Committee and later sought cash compensation.

Abdul Azeez, Pradhan Stewrat Gunj asked the administration to make public the minutes of IDA meeting held in June 2011? He also demanded a relief package for the farmers without further delay.

Saraswathi Narayan, Ex-Pradhan Sippighat also spoke on the occasion. She said that the administration has forgotten the old inhabitants of the Islands, whereas those tenants who just lost their household items were given shelters and free ration for a period of five years.

Hamza, a farmer from Stewart Gunj warned the administration that 26 December will be a new tsunami, when the affected farmers will gather in large numbers to protest the attitude of the administration towards the farmers.

Rajesh Lall, General Secretary, Gram Sudhar Sangham spoke about the Rajarhat Housing Scam, where land was allotted for tsunami victims by West Bengal government and is being diverted by land mafia.