Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 21 June 2021
Mr. Satyendra Garg, DGP, Andaman and Nicobar Islands has raised the bar for policing in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Under his leadership, the police department of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has become more efficient in dealing with crimes and more polite in dealing with the general public.
Nicobar Times had earlier reported about the residents of Katchal requesting the DGP to take action against the sale of illicit liquor. The residents had again sent an email to the DGP, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Superintendent of Police, Nicobar District last week and the email was also marked to Nicobar Times.
The email had links to several sting videos recorded by the residents of Katchal. The sting videos show the extent of the problem of illicit liquor in Katchal Island.
The following are the sting videos shared by the residents of Katchal Island:
The lone mobile network of BSNL is not working in Katchal and getting information out of the Island is becoming increasingly difficult.
Nicobar Times received a call from a resident of Katchal who informed us that he is calling from inside a forest where he gets network from the nearby Island. The resident informed that the signatories of the second letter written by the residents of Katchal Island are not happy with the investigation being conducted by the officer sent by A & N Police. He further added that the sting video sent by the Islanders of Katchal were leaked by someone in the Police Department to those who were seen selling illicit liquor in those videos.
He further alleged that the investigation officer is favouring the local police officers and is not taking the statements of the residents properly.
The resident who called Nicobar Times also informed that the residents have now written another letter to the DGP, A & N Islands expressing their dissatisfaction towards the investigation being conducted. They informed that they are finding ways to email the letter to the DGP.
Nicobar Times received another call from a resident of Katchal earlier, who informed us that the local police is trying to implicate those who are raising their voice against the illicit liquor.
A video was also shared with Nicobar Times in which a local girl admits to have been told by the police to name some of the residents who are actively raising voice against the local police. The residents specifically asked Nicobar Times not to share the video in public as it could create problems for the local girl.
The whole issue of sale of illicit liquor in Katchal Island is very serious as it is effecting the poor families in a very negative way. According to the residents the easy money in the trade of illicit liquor has attracted many people which has given rise to many problems in the society.
It is being alleged by the residents that theft has increased in Katchal ever since the sale of illicit liquor has increased.
Nicobar Times also received an audio recording in which some women of Katchal Island are heard telling that the instances of domestic violence has also increased in Katchal, but they are not complaining to police because the police will book cases against their husbands and they will have to go to Car Nicobar for attending the court.
The residents have now demanded direct intervention of the DGP, A & N Islands for a free and fare investigation on the issue.