Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 05 November 2023
In a significant show of public outcry and political activism, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPI (M), organised a series of mass dharnas, processions, and public meetings at various locations across the North and Middle Andaman District on November 4, 2023. The demonstration aimed to highlight and address several pressing issues, including the deplorable condition of National Highway 4 (NH-4), the need for proper road maintenance, frequent power cuts, and the assurance of adequate drinking water supply.
One of the key gatherings took place in Diglipur, where CPI (M) workers commenced a mass dharna in front of the Mini Civil Station at Diglipur bazaar at 9:30 a.m., which continued until 3 p.m. Subsequently, a massive rally was organised in the Diglipur bazaar, attracting a substantial number of participants. Addressing the public meeting during the rally, Dr. Gouranga Majhi, a CPI (M) State Secretariat Member, strongly criticised the BJP-led central government for the deplorable state of NH4 in the North and Middle Andaman District. Dr. Majhi also condemned the government’s policies that he deemed as anti-farmer and anti-working class.
The gathering in Diglipur also featured speeches by AVA Samad, Secretary of the CPI (M) Diglipur Area Committee, as well as CPI (M) State Organizing Committee Members Dilip Karmakar and Sunil Bepari. They elaborated on the challenges faced by the people of North Andaman, such as the appalling condition of NH4, inadequate drinking water supply, and persistent power cuts.
In Middle Andaman’s Billiground, CPI (M) organized a Mass Dharna at Billiground bazaar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by a public meeting at the same location. During the public meeting, Nikunjo Biswas, a State Secretariat Member of CPI (M), criticised the BJP government at the centre for the current condition of NH4. Biswas urged the people of Middle Andaman to unite and resist what he described as various anti-people measures undertaken by the central government and the Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
The event at Billiground also featured speeches by Rahul Dev Mridha, a State Organizing Committee Member, SR Mridha, Secretary of the Middle Andaman Area Committee, and Prakash Sardar, Member Area Committee of CPI (M).
In Rangat, a substantial rally was held at Rangat Bazar, with a considerable number of attendees. Notably, Sarthak Auto Union and Andaman Motor Vehicle Drivers Union, Rangat, also took part in the rally to protest the deplorable condition of NH4. In the evening, a public meeting was held at Rangat Bazar. During the public meeting, Projit Kumar Sarkar, a State Secretariat Member of CPI (M), voiced the growing frustration among the local population regarding NH-4 and other pressing issues concerning the Middle Andaman region. PK Khalid, a State Organising Committee Member of CPI (M), also delivered a speech during the event.
These demonstrations by CPI (M) shed light on the pressing concerns of residents in the North and Middle Andaman District and serve as a call to action for authorities to address the demands for a CBI investigation into NH4’s renovation, road maintenance, reliable power supply, and access to clean drinking water.