Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 18 January 2024
In a crucial meeting with the Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands at Raj Niwas, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, the Member of Parliament for the region, addressed a range of developmental concerns, with a particular emphasis on the urgent need for a minimum of 5 acres of land to establish a new Christian Graveyard in the Port Blair region.
The issue of land allocation for the Christian community’s final resting place took center stage during the discussions between Mr. Sharma and the Hon’ble Lt. Governor. Sharma highlighted the critical situation faced by the community, explaining that the existing Christian Graveyard had reached its full capacity over the years.
The overburdened graveyard has led to distressing circumstances, as the lack of available space for new graves has resulted in incidents where during the excavation process, individuals encounter the bones and remains of other bodies. Sharma emphasized that this alarming situation has made it exceedingly challenging for the Christian community to find suitable burial sites for their departed loved ones.
Expressing concern over the diminishing free space within the existing graveyard, Sharma urgently appealed for the allocation of a minimum of 5 acres of new land to establish a dedicated Christian Graveyard. He stressed that this additional space is crucial to meet the growing needs of the Christian community and to alleviate the distressing conditions faced by the residents.
The Member of Parliament’s request brings attention to a pressing issue affecting the Christian community in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, highlighting the need for immediate action to ensure the availability of adequate space for dignified burials.