Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 17 December 2025
A delegation of the Dependents and Ex-Servicemen Forum for Equitable Negotiation, Compensation & Entitlements – Great Nicobar Island (DEF-GNI), accompanied by Member of Parliament for Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, met the Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration on Friday, December 12, 2025, to discuss the concerns and demands of Ex-Servicemen Settler Families of Great Nicobar Island in connection with the ongoing land acquisition process for the Green Field International Airport Project.
The DEF-GNI delegation comprised Mr. E.S. Rajesh, President (Pramukh, Panchayat Samiti, Campbell Bay); Mr. N. Kiran, General Secretary; Mr. Prahlad Singh, Joint Secretary (Pradhan, GP Laxmi Nagar); Mr. Rajan Singh, Treasurer; and Mr. Tarun Karthick, Spokesperson.
The Chief Secretary heard the demands and grievances raised by the delegation and advised them to formally place their demands before the Administrator, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (under the RFCTLARR Act, 2013). The delegation was also asked to raise their concerns during the formal public hearing that would be initiated as per the procedure prescribed under the law.
DEF-GNI has already submitted a detailed list of demands on behalf of the Ex-Servicemen Settler Families and other residents of Gandhi Nagar and Shastri Nagar villages under Gram Panchayat Laxmi Nagar. The representations were submitted to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Hon’ble Union Home Minister, and the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, with copies marked to the Chief Secretary, the Deputy Commissioner of Nicobar District (Administrator, Rehabilitation and Resettlement under the RFCTLARR Act, 2013), and the Assistant Commissioner of Campbell Bay, Great Nicobar Island (Collector under the RFCTLARR Act, 2013).
The delegation reiterated that the association would take all necessary steps to safeguard the interests of Ex-Servicemen Settler Families and other residents affected by the land acquisition for the Green Field International Airport project at Great Nicobar Island.
DEF-GNI has also reiterated that the association supports the Government of India’s developmental initiatives under the Mega Great Nicobar Island Project, it only seeks to ensure that the interests of the community are considered and that the community is made an integral part of the development process.
