Self-Styled Dictatorship In Havelock, Kind Attention Hon’ble Lt. Governor

Havelock, June 13: In what can be termed as ‘Self-styled Dictatorship’, a resort owner in Havelock is seen openly violating the law of the land for extension of his resort, while the concerned authorities prefer to turn blind eye on the issue. The resort named ‘Munjoh Ocean Resort’, which is set up on a leased land at Havelock No. 5 has its land divided by the village road. A part of the land is on the sea side, while the rest is located the other side of the road, which used to be a paddy land.

Allegations are being made that the resort owner, while undertaking the extension work on the paddy land, has openly violated the law as no clearance has been given to the concerned party either by the Revenue Department or the concerned Panchayat. The construction is in full-swing on the agricultural land and astonishingly no one from the Revenue Department has even dared to check?

“I cannot comment on whether the piece of land leased by Munjoh Resort, where construction work is on, has been made commercial. All I can say is that the Panchayat has not given any clearance for the construction work”, said the Panchayat Pradhan, Shri Sanjay Samadar, while talking to Andaman Chronicle yesterday 12th June 2013.

“It is mandatory to seek the clearance from the concerned Panchayat before undertaking any such construction work at Havelock. I am aware of the ongoing construction, but then what can I do”, asked the Pradhan.

The Law of the Land says that for constructing such resorts, land has to be converted into commercial, which is on the part of the Revenue Department. After it has been converted into commercial, the concerned party needs to seek permission from the Panchayat and this has not been done, Sanjay Samadar adds.

To move a step further, it has also been noticed that the concerned resort is openly advertising its ‘Bar’ in its website. The Bar is named ‘Bo-Bar’, which seems to be a tribute to the extinct Andamanese Tribe ‘Bo’.

The advertisement narrates: “Our bar’s name is a tribute to the 65,000 year old Andamanese tribe called “bo” which has sadly very recently gone extinct along with is Bo language. We imagine that the Bo Bar with its varied drinks would fuel and stir up conversation in some of the great languages that come with guests and many a weary traveller into the Andaman islands. Some of our bar seating is designed literally like a watering hole, allowing travellers from across the world to meet and greet and spin yarn. Our bar serves international as well as Indian brews, liquors and fine wine.”

What a tribute to the extinct ‘Bo’ Tribe, most of them who died being alcoholics. Few who remain are not aware of their culture and can be seen fallen drunk on the capital Port Blair’s streets.

With such sarcastic tributes to the Great Andamanese and open violation of Revenue Rules going on full-swing, it can be hoped that this time the Revenue Department would come out of its stupor and recollect what it is meant for. It can also be hoped that the Tourism Directorate and also the Tribal Welfare department would maintain a check on such cynical approach towards the aboriginal tribes of the islands.

Last but not the least, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor who has always insisted strict action on such violations, may it be encroachment of beaches or similar activities would take the issue seriously and instruct his Administration to curb such practices, which not only makes mockery of the rules but also insults the aboriginal tribes.