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- Denis Giles
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Port Blair, June 11: Shri Shobir Chatterjee posted as Oilman in the mainland sector vessel MV Nicobar slipped off the ship’s gangway yesterday evening and fell into the sea. After hours of search and rescue by the diving units of various agencies, his body was recovered in the midnight.
The accident took place at around 7.40 pm on 10th June 2013, when MV Nicobar was berthed at Haddo Wharf. The vessel was scheduled to sail the next day after fumigation work was done. Shobir Chatterjee while trying to board the ship lost his balance and fell off the gangway.
Sources inform that the ship’s gangway did not have safety net on place, resulting in the death of the Oilman. It was only after the accident that safety net was tied around the gangway, sources informed. The ship’s lights were shut off due to fumigation, which got over by 2.00 pm. It was around 8.00 pm, 20 minutes after the accident, Police was informed. Rescue team from the Fire Services, Police Marine Force and divers from the Indian Navy later reached the spot. To facilitate the search/rescue operation, the ship had to be put on anchorage.
At 12.00 midnight, after four hours of struggle, the divers from the Indian Navy could finally locate the body of Shobir Chatterjee. The Oilman Shobir Chatterjee was an employee of Shipping Corporation of India recruited from Kolkata.
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- Denis Giles
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Port Blair, June 10: The written test for the post of Police Constables was held today at three centres inside Port Blair city, where more than 4000 candidates had appeared. For a smooth conduct of the written test, the A&N Police had approached the Directorate of Education for deploying teachers for invigilation and also for evaluating the written papers. Though the written test was conducted peacefully without any flaws, there are allegations made that the Directorate of Education had on purpose posted majority of lady teaching staff for evaluating the papers, which means duty till late night.
It is learnt that around 50 teachers were allotted duty for the written test, out of which majority are ladies. The written test started at 3.00 pm in all three centres i.e. Govt. Model Sr. Sec. School, Govt. Boys Sr. Sec. School and Mohanpura Govt. Sr. Sec. School and concluded by 5.00 pm soon after which the papers were taken for evaluation. Allegations are also made that out of the 50 teachers deputed for the task, majority of ladies were given the duty to evaluate while male teachers were limited to invigilation. The evaluation of the papers started at around 6.00 pm and continued till late night.
Upon being asked, the Director of Education (I/c) Dr. R.N. Prasad told Andaman Chronicle that the decision was taken by the Director and he has no role to play in it. He said that a meeting was held in the Chamber of the Director regarding deputation of teachers, where the Superintendent of Police was present. It was assured by the Police that arrangements would be made by their department to drop the teachers back home after the evaluation process is over.
Prasad on being asked about the Hon’ble Court’s ruling not to depute lady staff beyond 6.00 pm, said that he is aware of the ruling but the decision had already been taken by the Director. The director has gone on a month’s leave and I took charge today in his absence, he said. On being asked whether there is dearth of male teachers for the task, the Director (I/c) said, “Majority of teaching staff in the Directorate are ladies”.
It is astonishing to note that the Director of Education has preferred to depute lady teachers to work till late in the night, while most of the male teachers were restricted to a two-hour invigilation duty. Has this been done on purpose as is being alleged and whether the move is justified are questions that needs to be answered by the Directorate.
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- Denis Giles
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Port Blair, June 9: Cattle menace in the city has always been in the limelight, with media trying their best to bring it to the notice of the concerned authorities. Many at times, action has been initiated following the reports published but alas! It seems to be a never ending problem.
Cattle pounds have been constructed in different parts of the city and we try our best to clear the mess, said the Sanitary Officer of PBMC Shri Vijay Tiwari while being questioned.
We have also increased the fine amount from Rs. 350/- to Rs. 500/- and levied a feeding charge of Rs. 100/- per day. It has been notified, he said. Meanwhile, we try our best to inform the cattle owners through media, not to allow their cattle to stray on the road.
The Sanitary Officer also informed that Cattle Catching by the Sanitary Workers is a daily affair and in a month around 150-170 stray cattle are being impounded.
We have also noticed that during peak traffic hours, it becomes difficult to remove cattle from the roads. Many at times, our workers have been injured badly while trying to capture them. To overcome this issue, we have also floated a proposal for ‘Cattle Catching Van’ with ramp facility.
The PBMC cannot be blamed for the issue, he said adding that it is also the duty of the media to highlight the issue and also inform the cattle owners.
Andaman Chronicle has noticed that cattle menace is a regular affair in the city especially at Chakkar Gaon turning. Blind turns, steep slope and dividers installed by the Traffic Police in the area makes it dangerous for the vehicle drivers, especially during nights. It is also learnt that the cattle owners are mostly from the Police Department itself, who stay in the govt. quarters allotted to them. The only time when no cattle are found straying in this stretch of road is when the Hon’ble Lt. Governor travels on it.
There was a time when Shri SB Tyagi as the Superintendent of Police, South Andaman had issued strict instruction to the policemen, not to rear cattle in govt. accommodations. The menace seemed to get solved at the time, but after his departure from the islands, it’s now back to square one.
It can be hoped that atleast the Police Department would take this as a serious issue and instruct the men in uniform to stop making mockery of the rules as charity begins from home.