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- Denis Giles
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Port Blair, Feb. 27: One more Interceptor Boat (IB) of ICGS C-147 has joined the Coast Guard region today 27th Feb 2013. In the past one year, the Coast Guard has added two Interceptor Boats and one Dornier to their fleet in Andaman & Nicobar region. This IB is based at newly commissioned Coast Guard Station Mayabunder.
The C-147 was received at CG Jetty in a befitting manner at an impressive ‘Welcome Ceremony’. The function was attended by Air Marshal PK Roy, AVSM, VM, VSM Commander-in-Chief A&N Command, Inspector General VSR Murthy, PTM, TM Commander Coast Guard Region (A&N), Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, NM COS/ANC & other senior officers, CSOs and CO/OICs of various CG Ships and establishments in Port Blair.
Prior coming alongside CG Jetty, the Boat displayed impressive and breathe taking high speed maneuvers, which was well appreciated by one and all present during the function. The 90 Tonnes boat with an overall length of 28 meters, built by M/s ABG Shipyard, Surat was commissioned on 28 May 2010, and was initially based at Goa. The water jet propelled vessel is capable of doing high speed of 45 knots and has an endurance of 350 NM. The vessel is fitted with latest, state-of-the-art navigation, communication equipment and armament. The ship is commanded by Comdt (JG) Vikas Walia, and has compliment of 12 personnel. The boat has excellent track record and has credit of participating in prestigious President Fleet Review 2011 at Mumbai and various coastal security exercises conducted in the western seaboard.
In his welcome address, IG Murthy stated that addition of this fast patrol boat will add power to our punch and will enhance the capacity of the region towards the mandated task of Maritime Safety and Security. He expressed confidence that the ship will maintain the same tempo in the vibrant A&N region also and make dent to the morale of elements inimical to security of Andaman such as surveillance on human trafficking, unauthorised poaching and illegal immigration which are on the rise in recent times.
Speaking on the occasion Air Marshal P K Roy, CINCAN said with the joining of ICGS C-147 to the CG fleet, will not only help in augmenting surveillance & close coast operation for the security of North group of Islands but also in providing additional thrust for CG mandated tasks.
The impressive Police band added colour and frolic to the ceremony by playing melodious tunes during the welcome ceremony. A communiqué received from Commandant (JG) Rajeev Sharma, Public Relations Officer of the Coast Guard.
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- Denis Giles
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Port Blair, Feb. 27: The news of Indian Forest Service (IFS) trainees being allowed to travel on the Andaman Trunk Road from Jirkatang to Baratang in private busses has caused uproar among the Tourist Cab Drivers Union and Tour Operators Association.
According to sources, two batches of IFS trainees were allowed to travel on the Andaman Trunk Road through the Jarawa Reserve, on their way to Rangat via Baratang. The first batch of around 31 Trainees had travelled on the ATR on 25th Feb. 2013, which has been banned for tourists and outsiders. Again on 26th Feb. another batch of IFS Trainees were taken through the road in private commercial vehicles. It was not only this, the two groups had also visited Lime Stone Caves in private boats.
Commenting on the issue, the Director General of Police, Shri Sharad Agarwal who is also the nodal officer to monitor activities on the Andaman Trunk Road said, “Permission was sought by the Forest Department, which was signed by the Additional PCCF. It mentioned that the travellers are govt. officials on a field trip to Rangat. We had to allow them as the Court Order mentioned that govt. officials on duty are allowed to travel on the road”.
Meanwhile, Shri M. Kannan, President of Andaman & Nicobar Tourist Drivers Welfare Union, talking to Andaman Chronicle said, “It is a violation of the order. When we are not allowed to take tourists or outsiders who do not possess Islander Identity Card, how can the IFS Trainees be allowed to travel in commercial vehicles and also allowed a trip to the Lime Stone Caves at Baratang, which has been stopped”.
“I had called upon the Superintendent of Police, South Andaman yesterday and expressed our objection in this regard. After the Court’s Order, we have been sending our guests to Rangat by boat. We pick them at Rangat for further journey to North Andaman. If we can do this, why can’t the Administration”, Kannan said.
Reacting on the issue, Shri M. Vinod, President of the Association of Tour Operators, Andaman & Nicobar Islands said, “Had the Administration really wanted, they could have provided boats from Port Blair to Baratang for the Trainees. I totally disagree with the explanation of the Administration that the IFS trainees are not tourists and were on official duty. They are not Islanders. If at all they were on official trip to Lime Stone Caves, which is under Forest Department, they should have used the department’s boat at Baratang and not hired private commercial boats”.
It is also learnt that in the first week of March 2013 more such trainee officer will be arriving Port Blair on exposure trip. Private Commercial Vehicles have already been booked for them to travel on the ATR. It can be hoped that the Administration which enforces rules on the commoners will not modify the same rules to suit their convenience.
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Port Blair, Feb. 27: A dead body of a teen aged was found floating in the sea near Dignabad, Port Blair early morning on 24th Feb. 2013. Upon sighting of the body the police was intimated and a FIR under Unnatural Death was registered at PS Aberdeen.
According to sources, the body was of a teen age girl named Roshni, studying in class Xth at Govt Sec. School, Delanipur. The Post Mortem Examination conducted has suggested that it is a case of drowning.
Sources further inform that a day before the incident, Roshni, R/o Phoenix Bay had a quarrel with her mother and she left her home. Roshni was one among her five siblings.
Though the investigation in the case is on, there are rumours that the girl was sexually assaulted before she was killed. As such the Post Mortem Examination did not show any such symptoms and suggested that it is a case of drowning.