Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 29 January 2025
Member of Parliament (MP) representing Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray has called for urgent action to address the long-pending resettlement of 48 Sri Lankan Tamil families of Katchal Island. In a letter to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, Mr. Ray highlighted the two-decade delay in implementing a resettlement package for these families, who continue to live in deteriorating conditions without a stable livelihood.
The families, repatriated to India under the Indo-Ceylon Agreement of 1964 and 1976, were temporarily settled in Katchal Island, a tribal area, after being displaced from Sri Lanka. While 26 families were resettled on revenue land in Little Andaman with agricultural land and livelihood support, the remaining 48 families were provided only 0.5 acres of land and daily-rated jobs in the Rubber Board, Katchal. However, the closure of the Rubber Board left them without a stable income, and their temporary settlement in a tribal area has been a violation of the Protection of Aboriginal Tribes (PAT) Regulation.
In 2003, during a high-level meeting chaired by the former Prime Minister Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, it was decided that the Andaman & Nicobar Administration would formulate a resettlement package for these families. The proposed package included 1.5 hectares of agricultural land per family, employment for two members per family, and monetary support. Despite this decision, no concrete steps have been taken to implement the package, even after 20 years.
The Katchal Tamil Settlers Association approached the Hon’ble High Court, which directed the government to implement the resettlement package approved in 2003. The issue was also discussed during the Home Minister’s Advisory Committee (HMAC) meeting in 2017, chaired by then-Home Minister Rajnath Singh, where it was decided to prioritize the matter. However, no significant progress has been made.
MP Bishnu Pada Ray has raised the issue multiple times in the Lok Sabha, receiving written assurances from the government. Despite these efforts, the families continue to face severe hardships. Their living quarters have deteriorated, posing safety risks, especially during inclement weather. The closure of the A&N Forest Plantation has further curtailed their means of livelihood, leaving the community in a precarious position.
In his letter to the Lt. Governor, MP Bishnu Pada Ray has outlined the following demands to expedite the resettlement process:
1. High-Level Meeting: Convene a high-level meeting involving members of the Katchal Sri Lankan Settlers Association to discuss and finalize a resettlement package.
2. Timeline for Resettlement: Establish a clear timeline for relocating the families to a suitable revenue area and providing financial support.
3. Approval of Package: Seek immediate approval from the competent authority for the resettlement package based on previous decisions.
4. Special Committee: Form a special committee chaired by a Commissioner-cum-Secretary to monitor progress and complete the necessary formalities for resettlement.
The Sri Lankan Tamil settlers in Katchal are living in deteriorating conditions, with their homes at risk of collapse during heavy rains and high-speed winds. The lack of a stable livelihood has pushed the community into further distress. The delay in resolving their resettlement has not only violated their rights but also raised questions about the implementation of government decisions.
MP Bishnu Pada Ray emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating, “It has been over 20 years since the decision to resettle these families was made. Further delays will only exacerbate their suffering. The government must act now to provide them with a secure and sustainable future.”
Copies of the letter have also been sent to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Hon’ble Home Minister of India for their intervention and necessary action.