Port Blair, Nov 24 2020
Sri Lankan Tamil Settlers who were settled in the Katchal Island in the 1970’s to work in the rubber plantations, have been protesting for their resettlement to South Andaman since 18th of November 2020. Their protest entered the 7th day today. The settlers intensified their protests a few days ago by blocking the roads of the Katchal Island.
Yesterday the settlers resorted to relay hunger strike to press for their demands. These Sri Lankan Settlers have also submitted their identity documents and ration cards to the Special Relief Officer of Katchal Island as a symbolic mark of protest to press for their settlement to South Andaman District.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, Andaman and Nicobar Islands have also extended their full support to these Sri Lankan Tamil Settler families, who have been facing several issues in the tribal area. These settlers are deprived of the most basic of facilities like a functional toilets in their residences and are being forced to live in half a century old Govt. Quarters.
These settlers are even being deprived of the most basic of rights that a normal citizen enjoys, just because they live in a tribal area. Meanwhile the pressure is also piling up on the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to resettle these settlers elsewhere. Mr. Rasheed Yusoof, a well known personality from the Islands and the State Chairman of Tribal Development Council, Andaman and Nicobar Islands have also written to the Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, requesting the resettlement of these settlers.
The State President of Bharatiya Janata Party, Andaman and Nicobar Islands is also reportedly writing a letter to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, Union Tribal Affairs Minister, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, other senior dignitaries of BJP and to Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, requesting for immediate resettlement or de-notification of the area of the residence of these settlers in Katchal from Tribal Reserve.
Nicobar Times spoke to Mr. Lawrence, Joint Secretary, Katchal Settler’s Welfare Association this afternoon and he informed us that the situation on ground at Katchal is the same and they have been conducting the protests and the relay hunger strike peacefully, to press for their demands. He further mentioned that they have been waiting for the Deputy Commissioner’s visit to the Island, however they do not have a confirmation of his visit.
Nicobar Times also spoke to Mr. E.S. Rajesh, District President of Bharatiya Janata Party, Nicobar District who mentioned that the Bharatiya Janata Party is supporting the Sri Lankan Tamil Settlers in their demand for resettlement and also suggested that they can be resettled in Campbell Bay, if the Administration and the settlers deems it appropriate.
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