Rohit Kumar
Port Blair, 29 March 2023
M.V Strait Island was reportedly scheduled to sail for Swaraj Dweep from Port Blair at 05 Pm today (29 March 2023) from Phoenix Bay Jetty. The sailing was cancelled by DSS last minute.
Passengers had already reached Phoenix Bay Jetty to board the boat and started protesting after being informed about the cancellation of the ship.
Passengers refused to leave the Gate of DSS Office unless an alternate ship was scheduled.
Passengers informed Nicobar Times that they received the cancellation SMS from DSS at 4:37 Pm and later, whereas the ship was scheduled to leave for Swaraj Dweep at 5:00 Pm.
A lady passenger also informed, at first, no officer of DSS was ready to speak to them. She added that when an officer came forward to speak, he spoke very rudely and even commented, ‘How come a resident of Havelock doesn’t have money’.
Later, sensing that the situation was slipping out of hands and the protestors may not budge, DSS scheduled a boat to Swaraj Dweep at 7:30 Pm.
If the DSS could schedule a boat at 7:30 Pm after the protest, why was the 05:00 Pm sailing cancelled and not postponed?