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Port Blair, Oct. 25: With the Andaman & Nicobar group of Islands covering almost 30% of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and its location at the confluence of vital sea lines of communication making it strategically important, the role of India’s only Unified Command, the Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC) in securing the coasts and marine wealth has always been a challenging one. While efforts have been on by ANC to maintain strict vigil across the Andaman Seas, through regular air & sea surveillance and joint anti-poaching operations in coordination with the local Administration; the ANC now is geared up to take a leap forward to address the coastal security concerns better.
The Command is all set to induct as many as 14 water jet propelled Fast Interceptor Crafts (FICs) equipped with Guns, Communication Equipment, AIS (Automatic Identification system), and Radar besides an acoustic device (LRAD) (Long Range Acoustic Device) used for scarring any threat away. With the induction of FICs, Coastal Patrolling along the Andaman & Nicobar Islands is expected to get a fillip. The newly introduced FICs manufactured by Solas Marine, manned by a crew of 04 is capable of max speed upto 50 kts (Approx 100 kmph).
The 14 FICs will be inducted in four batches in ANC, with the first batch of four FICs scheduled for induction by the end of the month. These boats will be positioned at Port Blair, Diglipur, Kamorta and Campbell Bay.
A team of specialised Sagar Prahari Bal (SPB), which was raised in the aftermath of 26/11 attacks in Mumbai and trained at INS Dronacharya in Fort Kochi, is already positioned in the Andaman & Nicobar Command. The team will operate these boats for harbour security, Force Protection (Guarding Naval Assets and Strategic Installations from Sea Borne threats) and Sea front Security.
Earlier Govt. of India had recommended a chain of static sensors to be set up in the form of Shore Radar Stations. Out of the 46 Radars, 18 are being installed in Andaman & Nicobar Islands in a phased manner. The Static Sensors will be covering the island chain starting from East Island in North Andaman to Pulo Millow Island in the Nicobars.
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Alcoholism Among Jarawa Opens Up More Scope For Research?
Port Blair, Oct. 22: In what can be noted as a rare incident reported in the media, a Jarawa youth attacked another Jarawa tribesma with a dah (chopper) thereby causing serious injuries on the victim. Such incidents wherein the tribesmen quarrel among themselves may not be strange but what should make sense to the A&N Administration and the expert consultants on Andaman Tribes is that the attacker was under the influence of alcohol.
Sources inform that the incident took place at Tirur area on 18th Oct. 2013, when Torveta (Jarawa man) aged around 40 years had consumed alcohol and had a quarrel with Anjale (Jarawa man) aged around 28 years. When the quarrel attained more heat, Torveta pulled out the dah and attacked Anjale on his head and body, injuring him seriously.
The victim Anjale was later shifted to Tushnabad Hospital where he is still recovering. It is learnt that Anjale received around 10 stitches in the hospital to get his wounds sealed.
The incident wherein the Jarawa had consumed ‘alcohol’ and attacked his own tribesman opens up a whole new dimension for the A&N Administration, the expert anthropologists providing consultation to the Administration, ANTRI and others concerned to reflect on what has gone wrong, in spite of the very serious efforts to protect the dwindling tribe.
Earlier on 7th October, 2013 after the news report on Jarawa wanting to meet the Lt. Governor and Deputy Commissioner was flashed, A&N police arrested three persons who were found to be habitual intruders into the Jarawa Reserve Area. The number of arrests later increased to six, including the elected representative of Kadamtala, Middle Andaman. The A&N Police after interrogation had also confirmed that the intruders used to supply alcoholic substances to Jarawas.
Till date, media has been regularly reporting incidents about the so called ‘development’ among the Jarawa tribe ranging from Jarawa abuse, poaching, crock attacks, version of the Tribe, versions of elected representatives which includes Jarawa demanding for food to Fair & Lovely fairness cream etc., thereby providing an opportunity to the expert consultants to examine and suggest measures to the Administration’s ‘qualified’ but incapable tribal welfare officials (not capable to take their own decisions?) and the Govt. on how to handle the situation.
It would be appropriate to mention that the A&N Administration did take action on many occasions based on media reports, yet when it came to addressing the issues, preference was always for a blame game ‘National, International & Local’ to brush away the genuine issues as also preferred by experts? Now as the Pandora’s Box opens and the issue of ‘alcoholism’ among the Jarawa has emerged out of it; it can be hoped that the issue is seriously addressed and not just confined to yet another anthropological research and discussion.
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Port Blair, Oct. 21: The Lt Governor, Lt Gen (Retd), A K Singh, today felicitated Reena Kumari, for winning the silver medal in the 19th Asian Junior Rowing Championship 2013, held at Samarkand, Uzbekistan from 13th to 16th October 2013. A cheque of Rs 3 lakh was presented to Ms Reena Kumari by the Lt Governor, as per laid down norms.
The Indian Rowing team won 4 Silver Medals in all. Ms. Reena Kumari of A & N Islands, sitting as Main Stroke of the Coxless four, won one of the silver medals in 2000 mtrs event. The Lt Governor congratulated her for winning the medal and bringing laurels to the Islands and the country as well. He also wished her good luck in her quest for medals in future.
“I feel honoured and proud that my contribution in the field of sports has been recognized and none other than our own Lt Governor has felicitated me for the achievement”, said Reena Kumari to this Correspondent after the felicitation ceremony. She is currently a trainee of the Sports Authority of India, Special Area Games Centre, Port Blair.
Meanwhile the PCC President Kuldeep Rai Sharma and all leaders of the Congress party have congratulated Miss Reena Kumari, daughter of Shri Sukra Kerketta, Worker of Rubber Project at Mildera, Katchal on her achievement.