COVER STORY: ROHINGYAS: ENDLESS WAIT FOR REPATRIATION

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 27 | 17 FEB 2012

COVER STORY:

ROHINGYAS: ENDLESS WAIT FOR REPATRIATION

About 400 desperate souls rescued from the seas and detained in a distress camp for almost three years at Port Blair dream for a free life and a reunion with their families. Abandoned by both Myanmar and Bangladesh, their fate hangs in balance, with an indecisive government policy and the sluggish pace of repatriation.

By Zubair Ahmed

Since December 2008, about 702 boat people with Bangladesh-Myanmar nationality were rescued from various parts of the Islands. After a slow moving process, about 270 of them were repatriated.  The remaining 422 are languishing in the Distress Camp set up at Brookshabad by the ANI Admn. Another 54 were to be deported this week to Bangladesh.

"Its three years now, and we have not done anything wrong. We were first persecuted by the Burmese Junta, pushed by the Thais into the face of death. Indian government has been very sympathetic to us, but how can we continue to remain in a detention camp like this?" asks Ghulam Kadir, who is just 25 years old.

Mohammed Zameer: Optimistic!

The 400 persons have been lodged in the Open Distress Camp, where they live in three dormitories.  The Admn spends about Rs 75 per diem. They all look well-fed and clothed. However, they are unable to accept their fate, of living as prisoners without any hope.

"It is very unfortunate that poachers and Illegal fishermen from Myanmar, Bangladesh or Thailand, who are apprehended gets repatriated after they serve their sentences, whereas these boatpeople does not have the right to even get out of their camp," says a senior police officer.

Ghulam Kadir: Its a LongWait!

Mohammed Zameer, 23 years, born in Arakan has six members in his family. Faced with desperation and pain in managing a family in a hostile country, where its own citizens are persecuted by the Myanmar government, he crossed to Bothi Gaon in Bangladesh, just 20 kms away. One of the 2 lakh state-less and worst discriminated Rohingyas and Arakanese who had crossed the border looking for a safe haven from the clutches of Myanmar, he too dreamed of a better world. The border towns of Myanmar-Bangladesh are home to many such unfortunate souls. However life was not that easy in Bangladesh. He remained 8 months in Chittagong and thought of moving to Malaysia.

When he heard that Captain Rafeeque, would take him to Malaysia for an amount of 15-20 thousand takas, he too joined the 102 member group. Rafeeque, known as Captain promised them a safe landing in Malaysia. It took about 8 days to reach Phuket on their way, where they were intercepted by Thai Navy. They could see around 120 such Arakanese/Bangladeshi economic migrants already detained by the Thai Navy.

Mukhtar: Engine Betrayed!

Lately, the Thai authorities had picked Red Sand Island for 'processing' the Rohingyas before pushing them into the sea. They are subjected to inhuman torture and humiliation in the process. They are detained on the beach with gun-trotting guards abusing and torturing them. About 413 of these boat people were loaded into a dead engineless incapacitated wooden boat and towed deep into the sea for 24 hours and left to drift. Two bags of boiled rice and two jars of water were provided on each boat. There was no provision to cook the rice. They soaked it in water and chewed raw. But that too did not last more than two days. 412 persons tossed in a boat with no space to even move, they drifted in the sea for more than 15 days and they even lost the count of days after a certain period. Hunger and thirst drove them mad. Everyday, they were throwing dead bodies into the sea. When after a long period, the boat drifted towards Little Andaman Islands, where they were spotted and rescued by the A&N police and ANC, out of 413, only 107 survived.

UNENDING WAIT: At the Distress Camp at Brookshabad.

They arrived at Port Blair famished and totally dehydrated. They were shifted to hospital. After they recovered from the trauma, they were jointly interrogated by police and defence personnel. Although there is no lack of facilities, what they rue is detention without any crime. When asked SBS Deol, DGP told LOA, "They are not criminals and there is no justification in holding them in a detention camp, and I think they should be given Refugee status by Government of India."

When asked about the delay in repatriation, Naushad, Dy SP Emigration told LOA, "We have already forwarded all the details of the boatpeople to BSF as well as to the concerned High Commission; however, its time consuming and the response is very slow from Dhaka as well as from BSF."

Thai Navy arresting the Boatpeople at Similan Islands

"We are doing our best in addressing their requirements. "There is cellphone facility provided to them and they speak to their family members and relatives," he said.

The Administration is spending about Rs 12 Lakhs per month for the detainees.

"The desperation among the detainees has increased a lot. They had gone on hunger strike four or five times demanding quick repatriation, which is not a good sign," said DGP. A few of them in fact had tried to escape from the camp. About ten of them are undergoing prison sentence.

"In 2005-07, many Rohingyas had trespassed Thailand to enter Malaysia. Although they were detained by Thai authorities for 10-15 days, as soon as their relatives in Malaysia intervened and paid an amount of 3000 Malaysian Ringgit, they were released. In Malaysia, the government accepted them and would provide them Refugee Card for labourers," said Mohd Zameer.

Mukhtar (35) belonged to a group of 61 persons, which landed in Twin Islands on 08 Jan 2009. Their boat had developed an engine snag, and drifting in open sea for about eight days.

In another incident, about 150 persons landed near Tillangchaung Island on 10 Jan 2009.  Ghulam Kadir (25) who is still in the camp says that they were about 110 and 41 more people were tossed into an incapacitated boat by Thai authorities and pushed into the sea. About 113 persons have been repatriated. Another 36 persons are still in the Distress Camp waiting repatriation to Bangladesh.

One more incapacitated boat carrying 133 Rohingyas reached Pillow Millow village in Great Nicobar on 15th January 2009. The boat caught the attention of the residents of the village that had just 5-6 families living there after tsunami devastated it in 2004. Rest of the 41 families of the village were still living in temporary shelters in Campbell Bay.

However, the villagers took out their boats and with great difficulties towed the drifting boat to the village in a very rough weather. The Rohingyas were famished and dehydrated as was the case with earlier arrivals in the Islands. There was not much in the village to offer over 130 hungry people, said Paul Jura, the tribal chief of the village from Campbell Bay. However, the villagers offered them banana and whatever else they could. The police in Campbell Bay was alerted though even that in itself was a monumental task.

The issue is very serious for those of Burmese origin. There were about 107 of them, out of which 38 of them were rescued in 2008 and only one of them was repatriated. Another group of 37 were found on Barren Island in December 2011. 34 more of Burmese origin was rescued near Goal Tikrey, Kalighat on 23 December 2011.

"Even Rohingyas living legally on Phuket have been refused passports by the ''new'' Burmese government. Those who do land in Thailand are ''helped on'' to Malaysia or into the arms of brokers," said Alan Morison, Editor, Phuketwan to LOA.

"Myanmar is not going to take them back as they are outcasts there and Bangladesh would do the same as they are Rohingyas. It would be inhumane to keep them in detention. Either United Nations or Government of India would have to pitch in and confer Refugee status to them," said a Police Officer.

It is human right issue of monumental proportion rather than stray incidents of desperate people drifting in with the trade winds as the A&N Administration treats it. A proper policy needs to be devised in consultation with the Government of India to handle the migrant Rohingyas problem.

Please Unite Us with Our Families: Mohd Muslim

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 27 | 17 FEB 2012

Please Unite Us with Our Families: Mohd Muslim

Mohammed Muslim (47) is one of the most vocal among the detainees at the Distress Camp. He does not like to be addressed as Rohingya or Arakani. He says that he is from Teknaf, a sub-district of Cox Bazar, a division of Chittagong in Bangladesh.

"The officials from Bangladesh High Commission comes here every 5-6 months. They take all our addresses and details. But, nothing is happening in our case," he said.

'We are 265 persons and detained in this camp for last three years. Only 11 persons from our group have left. Out of 265, more than 100 persons will never get to go back as Bangladeshi official suspects us to be Arakanese," he worriedly said.

"About 40 persons in our group have their own residence in Bangladesh, but the land is not in their name. The local police officials in our village demand huge amount of bribe in Bangladesh to respond to the identification letters."

"Some of us even have Identity Cards, but our papers are not processed,"

"We are away from our families and they are in deep trouble as the earning members of the families are held up here. We speak to our family members over phone from here, but the authorities seem to be unaware of their whereabouts," Mohd told LOA. "Even UN is not taking up our issue with Indian Government. Give us the freedom every human being aspires for,” he pleads.

Persecution of Rohingyas

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 27 | 17 FEB 2012

Persecution of Rohingyas

According to Amnesty International, the Rohingya people have continued to suffer from human rights violations under the Myanmar junta since 1978, and many have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh as a result:

 "The Rohingyas' freedom of movement is severely restricted and the vast majority of them have effectively been denied Myanmar citizenship. They are also subjected to various forms of extortion and arbitrary taxation; land confiscation; forced eviction and house destruction; and financial restrictions on marriage. Rohingyas continue to be used as forced labourers on roads and at military camps, although the amount of forced labour in northern Rakhine (Arakan) State has decreased over the last decade."

"In 1978 over estimated number of 200,000 Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh, following the 'Nagamin' ('Dragon King') operation of the Myanmar army. Officially this campaign aimed at "scrutinising each individual living in the state, designating citizens and foreigners in accordance with the law and taking actions against foreigners who have filtered into the country illegally". This military campaign directly targeted civilians, and resulted in widespread killings, rape and destruction."

"During 1991-92 a new wave of the estimated number of a quarter of a million Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh. They reported widespread forced labour, as well as summary executions, torture, and rape. Rohingyas were forced to work without pay by the Myanmar army on infrastructure and economic projects, often under harsh conditions. Many other human rights violations occurred in the context of forced labour of Rohingya civilians by the security forces."

Rohingyas or Bangladeshis?

The boatpeople pushed deep into the sea to drift by Thai authorities and reached the Andaman shores facing hardships and ordeals now face a major crisis - Burmese does not recognize Rohingyas/Arakanese as their citizens, and many of them living in Bangladesh does not possess any paper from Bangladesh government. Most of these state-less people were living in the border towns of Bangladesh. Two-third of us is from Cox Bazar in Bangladesh.

Under Burmese law, the Rohingyas are de jure stateless, but they fare little better in Bangladesh. Most Rohingyas in Bangladesh have no legal rights and few employment opportunities. Hence, they try to move to Thailand and Malaysia.

"As we are landless, our families live in rented houses there," said Abdul Rehman, who had crossed from Myanmar and living with his family in Cox Bazar. "We would like to go back to our families in Bangladesh," he said.

EDITORIAL: Buffer Zone Hearing: Disappointed

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 27 | 17 FEB 2012

EDITORIAL:

Buffer Zone Hearing: Disappointed

The public hearing by the Supreme Court appointed two-member Advocate commission on Buffer Zone case once again exposed the small-mindedness and hollowness of the political setup in the Islands. Representatives of various political parties and a few organizations converted it into a seminar on Jarawa tribe citing history from 1857 to the present era.

However, the house consensually made it clear that the timing and the venue of the public hearing was inappropriate. They alleged that the Administration should have given ample notice period for the Buffer Zone affected Islanders and they also rued that it should have been apt, had the meeting been arranged somewhere in Middle Andaman, which is the most affected area.

There was no arrangement made by the Director, Tribal Welfare to properly document the opinions of the public and no entries were made about the memorandums and representations submitted by the parties and other organizations.

The whole exercise seemed to be hogwash, with no consequential outcome. The prolonged speeches made by the leaders of the political parties were more about the lifestyle of Jarawas and Andaman Trunk Road and very less about the Buffer Zone.

A BJP representative even alleged that the Buffer Zone had its origin in an unsuccessful negotiation between the Administrator and a Businessman, which was booed by Congress party representatives.

Most of the speakers were in favour of mainstreaming Jarawas rather than opposing Buffer Zone. It made their intentions very clear that their convenience lie in meddling with the lives of Jarawas. Shanta Laxman Singh, said that the Admn had once extended hands of friendship to the Jarawas and now it should not abandon them in mid-way.

Vishal Jolly unconvincingly tried to draw the attention of the Commission towards the Battle of Aberdeen, purportedly fought between British and Andamanese and could not drive his point home. Citing the Census figures he said that Jarawas population has increased 58% whereas the settler population had a meager growth of 8%. He also contended that had the villagers not settled in those areas, poachers would have killed the Jarawas. However, he overlooked the point that the most pristine forest reserve is still the Jarawa Reserve and all other forests under the control of the settlers are plundered to the hilt.

The Commission had to now and then remind the gathering their mandate and their roles. MP Bishnu too made an elaborate speech where he authentically presented many blunders. He wanted the Commission to consider the Master Plan prepared by Awaradi in 1991. He felt that ATR was primarily constructed for the movement of military. He also expressed his fear that If Chinese attacked the Islands in July, in the absence of ATR, Navy would not be able to sail due to rough weather!

Dr R K Haldar too gave a lengthy speech about the anthropological aspects of Jarawas. Hamid Ali asserted that Jarawas are no more primitive and only Sentinalese are primitive in nature. Although, in favour of mainstreaming Jarawas, he contradicted himself by suggesting that Jarawas should be settled in South Sentinalese Island, where they will remain uncontacted. Ranjit Kumar Banerjee emphasized that before taking any decision, views of the Jarawas should be sought.

The surprise element of the public hearing was the comeback of Manoranjan Bhakta, Ex-MP after a long period. With all his ailments, he tried to express himself, but his words fumbled and his body could not support his spirit.

Jessy John, proprietor of Dew Dale Resorts, Baratang, which was shut down by the Administration citing Buffer Zone made a genuine and emotional representation before the Commission. She said that the Administration did not extend any help or compensation for the loss she incurred by the abrupt closure of her resort. She also asked Som Naidu, Director, Tribal Welfare, whether he has ever visited her Resort before closure to ascertain whether it falls under Buffer Zone, which did put the Director in a very awkward position.

The public hearing turned into a show of one-upmanship between the political parties forgetting that it's a common issue which required a united voice. If this is the state of our polity, imagine how our Assembly would be!

PAUPER’S LOG: Valentine’s Day: Fun and Fuss

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 27 | 17 FEB 2012

PAUPER’S LOG

Valentine’s Day: Fun and Fuss

By Abu Arsh

It was V-Day time and the cupid were at it again. The waiting over and it's was all hearts, red and pink roses, confectioneries, greeting cards, new attires, treats, variety events with blaring music and you name it. Youngsters were at it with full attendance at schools, class bunks at colleges and the married busy in their own discrete ways- loving and even cheating on their spouses.  

In India, around 1992 Valentine's Day started catching up with special TV and radio programs, and even love letter competitions. The economic liberalization also helped the Valentine card industry. In modern times, religious traditionalists consider the day to be cultural contamination from the West, result of the globalization in India. Groups and political outfits like the Sri Ram Sena, Shiv Sena, Bajrang dal and the Sangh Parivar have asked their followers to shun the day and the "public admission of love" because of them being "alien to Indian culture". These protests are organized by political elites, but the protesters themselves are middle-class Indian men who fear that the globalization will destroy the traditions in our society: arranged marriages, joint families, full-time mothers and so on.

The day is regarded by certain groups as a front for Western imperialism, neocolonialism, and the exploitation of working classes through commercialism by multinational corporations. Studies have shown that Valentine's Day promotes and aggravates income inequality in India, and aids in the creation of a pseudo-westernized middle class. As a result, the working classes and rural poor become more disconnected socially, politically, and geographically from the capitalist power structure. They also criticize mainstream media attacks on Indians opposed to Valentine's Day as a form of demonization that is designed and derived to further the Valentine's Day agenda. Despite these obstacles, Valentine's Day is becoming increasingly popular in India.

Radical groups point out that youngsters are being looted by celebrating Valentine's Day. "These celebrations are just a gimmick of multi-national companies, who want to loot money from young consumers in India by celebrating Valentine's Day. Spending on gift items - right from cards, flowers, jewellery, chocolates, mobile phones, MP3 players and wrist watches, people in our country spend lakhs on this particular day," According to the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), the expenditure during Valentine's week last year was a whopping Rs.12,000 crore.

This year the moral brigade outfits like Shiv Sena, who cracks down on love-struck couples on Valentine's had no real intention to play spoilsport on Feb 14. One of the reasons behind this change of heart is the bad reputation they were getting. In the past, religious radicals kept vigil at parks, restaurants and other places on the day to prevent couples from getting close, and also attacked greeting card shops, pubs and gardens to protest the celebrations, drawing widespread criticism. Though the Bajrang Dal opposed celebrations this year by asking couples to marry or tie a Rakhi on the spot at parks and other venues as the cost of public display of love.

Historically, it's very hard to find a proper link between Saint Valentine and love. No romantic elements are present in the original early medieval biographies of either Valentine of Rome or Valentine of Terni around 200 AD. Valentine became linked to romance without much substance in the 14th century; distinctions between Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni were utterly lost.

The islands too didn't lag behind in celebrating the day, though for most of us -the reds and pinks splattered across at card stores and gift shops choke us out. Non-stop love songs being played across all radio stations, music channels, and kids asking for a raise in pocket money makes one feel like pulling your hair in disgust. These trends must be well understood and not aped so as to not let these celebrations contribute to more social and moral corruption; our island's society is already deeply embroiled in. Kids can have all the fun and not go overboard. Once our kids go for higher studies to the mainland and are on their own, they become vulnerable to such trends and attractions. With the dearth of entertainment and constructive avenues in the islands, kids have very limited opportunities to unwind or have some fun except for occasions like these. These may lead to issues which make headline news like what we've been reading and watching a lot of late.  

TechnoVaganza 2012: Island IT Shining

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 27 | 17 FEB 2012

TechnoVaganza 2012: Island IT Shining

Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyala has set a new standard by organizing TechnoVaganza 2012, an inter-Collegiate IT Festival inaugurated by the Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Higher Education), Shri B.S. Bhalla as the Chief Guest on 16 Feb 2012.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Bhalla appreciated the way in which information technology was being promoted through festival like 'TechnoVaganza'. He hoped that the entire student community of college and schools in these islands will soon get opportunity to avail IT facilities. He hoped that the submarine optical fibre cable will be available in about 18 months providing greater bandwidth to the users in these islands and bringing IT industries to these islands. He congratulated the staff of Computer Science Department for organizing 'technovaganza'.

In his address, the Principal JNRM, Dr. Iqbal Ahmad highlighted the achievements of the College. He thanked the Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Higher Education) for his support and encouragement in the development of the College.

Describing the purpose of holding the TechnoVaganza, Shri Vinod NC, HOD, Department of Computer Science said that the festival was aimed at exploring the young talents in the field of Information Technology and link up the student community under one roof. The inaugural programme concluded with vote of thanks proposed by Shri Rajeev Kumar Tiwari, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science.

In the second session, teams from DBRAIT, TGCE, ITI, IGNOU, DDE Annamalai University & JNRM participated in exciting competitions like dumb charades, digital vista, techno quiz, bug hunt, JAM, and ad-mad. The second session concluded with prize distribution by the Principal, JNRM and vote of thanks by Shri C.Parthiban, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science.

Industrial Fishing Needs to be Regulated: Greenpeace

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 27 | 17 FEB 2012

Industrial Fishing Needs to be Regulated: Greenpeace

GP Flagship MV Esperanza docks at Port Blair

By Staff Reporter

There are about 79 fishing vessels operating in the Indian EEZ on Letter of Permit from Ministry of Agriculture. However the government is not divulging details about their catch profile, said Areeba Hamid Oceans Campaigner, Greenpeace India speaking to the media onboard MV Esperanza, the iconic campaigning ship of Greenpeace, docked at Port Blair last week.

Earlier speaking to the media Sanjiv Gopalan said that they chose Andaman and Nicobar Islands to launch the campaign, as these Islands have a major role as far as India's EEZ is concerned. He also said that it will send a clear message to the policymakers in mainland to have a perspective about the Island territory.

On her second visit to India, the Esperanza through a month long tour will highlight the impacts of illegal and destructive fishing practices in the Indian EEZ and build public support for effective management measures to protect India's staggering marine biodiversity. The tour of the Esperanza starts at Port Blair and will conclude at Chennai in early March, 2012. On its arrival at Chennai, the vessel and campaign will publicly share the findings emerging from the research undertaken taken at sea.

The fastest in the Greenpeace fleet of vessels, the ship has been re-designed in as environmentally-friendly way as possible. Reflective of Greenpeace's global presence and multi-cultural standing, the Esperanza sails into India with a crew of 17, from over 10 nationalities, including Indians.

The arrival of the ship also coincides with Greenpeace India's recently launched campaign to stop illegal and industrial fishing in India's EEZ. Commenting on the campaign and the role of the ship, Areeba Hamid, Oceans Campaigner, Greenpeace India said "India's seas are being exploited by illegal and destructive industrial fishing practices. Fish stocks are depleting, livelihood securities of hundreds of thousands of coastal communities are at threat and marine ecosystems are systematically being degraded. The Esperanza will be central to our campaign, bringing the realities of threats out at sea back to the shores."

2012 is a key year for the Oceans as countries have set themselves a deadline to establish a global network of marine protected areas, especially in the high seas. The 20th anniversary of the Rio Summit in June 2012 at Brazil, followed by the Eleventh Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in October 2012 at Hyderabad will have a strong emphasis on Ocean conservation.

"As host nation to the CBD COP and a key player on global governance of the high seas, India has the opportunity and responsibility to ensure that these multi-lateral forums deliver the change required. While the seas and Oceans might seem infinite, they are fast approaching their limits of endurance. The need is for action, and the time for it is now" concluded Hamid.

Capacity Building Workshop for PRIs at Ferrargunj

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 27 | 17 FEB 2012

Capacity Building Workshop for PRIs at Ferrargunj

By Staff Reporter

A Capacity Building Training - cum- workshop for the elected representatives and officials associated with the Panchayati Raj Institutions for Ferrargunj Tehsil was held on 13th Feb in the Community Hall of Ferrargunj. Shri S. S. Balakrishnan Nair, Adhyaksh, Zilla Parishad, South Andaman was the Chief Guest of the Programme.

Speaking on the occasion Shri S. S. Balakrishnan Nair, Adhyaksh, Zilla Parishad, South Andaman promised to take up various issues raised by the PRIs with the Administration. He further said that the Zila Parishad would be taking up all unfinished projects and complete them in a stipulated time. He urged the members to identify sustainable community development projects through watershed management programmes. He also cleared various doubts and queries raised by the members.  

Shri M. P. Rajmohan, BDO & EO, Panchayat Samiti, Ferrargunj spoke in detail about the provisions contained in the Grant in Aid to Panchayati Raj Institution (Amendment) Rule -2012. Shri Anjan Das, Joint Director, Directorate of Agriculture spoke about the various schemes of devolved functions of the Agriculture department with the PRIs. Smti Irene Nicolas, CDPO, Ferrargunj enlightened the participants about schemes of Social Welfare Dept. Shri T. K. Biswas, AFDO, Fisheries Dept., Panchayat Samiti, Ferrargunj informed the participants about schemes of Fisheries dept. Shri. C. J. Joseph, SCA, Panchayat Samiti, Ferrargunj spoke about soil and water Conservation techniques. Shri Nagender, Programme officer, SA District, NRHM, Shri Chella Perumal, A. E. RCD, Wimberlygunj, Shri Rajan, JE, Panchayat Samiti, Ferrargunj explained about Annual Maintenance Contract of Street Lighting in Gram Panchayats. Shri Manohar Singh, Ex-SE Elect, Chairman, Elect, CGRF, A & N Islands, explained about the functions of Electricity- Consumer Grievances Redressal Forum. Shri A. Sinha Roy, Executive Officer, KVIB, explained in detail about PMEGP Scheme, Shri Abdul Rasheed, ARCS, Coop Dept. spoke on types of Coop societies and schemes of Cooperative department.

An Interactive session was also conducted wherein the PRI members interacted with the officials of the line dept. and the Adhyaksh, Zila Parishad, S/ Andaman. They came up with valuable suggestion about implementations of various schemes and grievances in day to day functioning of the PRIs. Shri Abdul Aziz, Pradhan Stewartgunj Gram Panchayat appreciated that such a training programme was held wherein  the PRI's from the panchayat ward member to a Zilla Parishad member attended and got enlightened about various schemes and provisions of various departments.. Commenting on the scheme of destitute women of social welfare wherein a woman has to give an affidavit of not remarrying in case of availing the scheme, he felt was discriminatory and robs a woman to lead a life of dignity. He was also critical of certain provisions contained in the recently released notification of PRI's which has stringent provisions for the elected representatives and very few for the engineers or officials concerned. He was critical of the schedule of work which is to be carried all the way to the EE PRI at Junglighat for sanction or award of work and billing whereas an AE is available at the Panchayat Samiti level who can very well do this work as is the prevalent practice prior to this notification. He was also disillusioned with imminent delays in granting of NOC's for civil works by the revenue authorities severally affecting execution of developmental works in the monsoon prone islands which has very few dry months for carrying these out. Other Gram Pradhans of Ferrargunj tehsil area also agreed with the above submission. Shri AP Jabir expressed his dissatisfaction over the Annual maintenance contract of Street lights where the contractor and engineer are given more authority than the elected representative. Shri VM Abdul Aziz, a social worker of Brindaban expressed his dissatisfaction over the manner in which the administration is conducting the Socio-economic and caste census ignoring the PRI's. He said that the PRI's will boycott such census if they are not involved as they know their constituency's people better than the enumerators.  

Officials from all line departments enlightened the participants about various schemes and programmes of the departments. The Programme was attended by 300 participants including Zila Parishad members, Panchayat Samiti members, Gram Pradhans, Panchayat ward members and officials of various departments under Ferrargunj Tehsil.

Shri Mohd. Safique, Pramukh, Panchayat Samiti, Ferrargunj proposing vote of thanks appreciated the efforts of Block Development Officer and Directorate of  (RD, PRIs & ULB), for organizing a capacity building training cum workshop which greatly benefited the PRIs of Ferrargunj tehsil area. Shri Shahid Meshack, PO, MGNREGA, Ferrargunj, coordinated the Programme.

Greenpeace Exposes Pirate Fishing Off Andaman Coast

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 27 | 17 FEB 2012

Greenpeace Exposes Pirate Fishing Off Andaman Coast

Governance gaps in marine fisheries allow illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing to go unabated in the EEZ.

During  its ongoing month long expedition to highlight the urgent need for marine conservation in India, activists from the Greenpeace ship MV Esperanza encountered four Burmese vessels fishing illegally in the Indian economic exclusive zone (EEZ) off the Andaman Islands coast on 19 Feb 2012.  The vessels did not have proper registration documents or a clearly displayed name.  Their catch consisted of mainly shark and some yellow fin tuna. All four vessels left for Burmese waters as soon as the Esperanza caught up with them and contacted them.

Indian law only permits Indian vessels in its national waters and the EEZ. The abundant presence of illegal foreign vessels is again proof of the gaping loopholes in the failing Indian governance of their marine waters. Greenpeace called on the Indian Coast Guards to investigate these illegally operating fishing vessels and will continue to engage with them to redress the situation. 

India's marine management has been riddled with irregularities and poor enforcement which has resulted in overfishing and further degradation of India's oceans. This not only leads to spread of illegal and unsustainable fishing practices in the Indian EEZ , but also loss of livelihoods for the Indian fishermen since the fish caught by the foreign vessels goes unreported and unaccounted for. The whole of February, the biggest and fastest Greenpeace ship investigates the threats posed to our oceans and therefore the livelihoods of hundreds of millions dependent on them.  An estimated 10 to 12 million people in India rely on fisheries for food or employment, either directly or indirectly. The losses accrued from IUU fishing in the Indian EEZ, are estimated between $250 to $ 320 million annually.

 "The occurrence of these illegal vessels is a perfect example of an industry that continues the unsustainable plunder of our oceans. To demonstrate that India is serious about controlling its own fishing industry and protect coastal communities, it needs to put an immediate end to practices of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing going on in our EEZ"  Areeba Hamid, Greenpeace India Oceans Campaigner said.

"The Ministry of Agriculture has to put in place an effective fisheries management plan which is based on a sustainable approach, secures the livelihoods of millions, protects fragile marine ecosystems and stops pirate fishing.  As part of its commitment to biodiversity conservation, India will host the eleventh Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in October 2012. As host nation, COP 11 is an opportunity for India to be a progressive and important player on the global conservation stage. But in order to be a true ocean conservation champion, India should take measures to protect its own territorial waters, on which millions depend upon, right now."Hamid said.