Sri Vijaya Puram | February 17, 2026
An island-wide general call-off, termed ‘Andaman Bandh’, was observed on February 16 following a call by the Joint Action Forum Against Deemed University (JAFADU) in support of students opposing the establishment of a deemed university in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The general call-off was reported to be peaceful across the Islands, from Campbell Bay in the south to Diglipur in the north. In several areas, commercial establishments remained closed for the day, with traders and business owners extending support to the students’ agitation.
In Sri Vijaya Puram, most shops and business establishments in major commercial areas remained voluntarily closed. Similar responses were reported from various parts of North and Middle Andaman District. In Nicobar District, the general call-off was observed in many regions, with reports of complete closure of shops in Katchal, Kamorta and Campbell Bay.
No incidents of violence or untoward disturbances were reported from any part of the Islands. There were also no confirmed reports of forcible closure of establishments. A few commercial establishments in Sri Vijaya Puram remained open and functioned without any reported disruption.
The student protest was called off in the evening, representatives of the Joint Action Forum Against Deemed University outlined the further course of action regarding their ongoing agitation.
