COVER STORY | Interview: HAR MANDER SINGH, IAS Former Chief Commissioner (1972-75)

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | VOL 36 | ISSUE 04 | 15 NOV 2012

Interview: HAR MANDER SINGH, IAS

Former Chief Commissioner (1972-75)

Prerogative of Govt. to Lay Down Policy on Land and Tribal Rights

Mr Har Mander Singh, IAS was the Chief Commissioner of Andaman and Nicobar Islands from 1972-1975. During his tenure, the Settlement of Nicobarese in Little Andaman came up. The Settlement is named after him. Mr Har Mander Singh, who stays in New Delhi replied to The Light of Andamans through email on a few queries related with the Settlement in Harminder Bay.

What was the rationale behind resettling Nicobarese in Little Andaman, far away from their natural habitat and cultural environment?

I was in the Islands during 1971-74. The Nicobarese population had grown and we needed more virgin land to settle them. On the other hand, Little Andaman Island was still being developed.  It had sparse population and needed more people to settle on it and help its growth.

The authorities thought that the area of what is now known as Harmander Bay in the Little Andaman Island would be suitable for the settlement of the first batch of the people from Nicobar Island, who may be willing to migrate to the new habitat. It would be a beneficial step for both the Nicobarese people and the Little Andaman Islands.  The representatives of the Nicobarese people visited the area and approved of it and the settlement was established. People were happy to settle in new environment

Did you foresee any conflict in the future on land and tribal rights?

One did not foresee any complaint in future about land and tribal rights.  It is the prerogative of the Government to lay down the policy in such matters.