Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 26 March 2025
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI (M)] North Andaman Area Committee organized two public meetings in Diglipur and Kalighat, where the party strongly criticized the BJP-led central government and the local administration for the hardships faced by islanders.
The first meeting was held on March 22, 2025, at Talbagan, Diglipur, and witnessed the participation of hundreds of villagers. The meeting was presided over by Sunil Dutta, while D. Ayyappan, State Secretary of CPI (M), led the charge against the central government. He accused the Modi government of failing to generate employment opportunities for the local youth and alleged that farmers in North Andaman’s rural areas were being harassed with eviction notices.
Ayyappan highlighted that these farmers have occupied government land 50-60 years ago, with three generations living and cultivating the land. He alleged that following the 2024 general elections, eviction notices have been served to these farmers, asking them to vacate the land. CPI (M) demanded that the government allot the land to the farmers, recognising their long-standing occupation.
Prominent CPI (M) leaders, including Dilip Karmakar and Banomali Sarkar, State Organising Committee Members, AVA Samad, Secretary of the North Andaman Area Committee, and Paschimsagar Branch Committee Members Nishikant Roy and Nityananda Mistry, were also present at the meeting.
The second meeting took place on March 23, 2025, at Kalighat Bazar. Presided over by Madhan Sarkar, Area Committee Member and Panchayat Member of Kalighat Panchayat, the meeting echoed similar concerns. Ayyappan once again criticized the BJP government, reiterating its failure to address the grievances of the islanders. Dilip Karmakar, AVA Samad, and Bahuram Naik, Kalighat Branch Committee Member, also addressed the gathering.
The CPI (M) vowed to continue its fight against the eviction of farmers and pressed for the immediate allotment of land to those who have been cultivating it for generations. (Story Based on PR)