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- Denis Giles
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Port Blair, Oct. 20: Attempts by poachers to manipulate members of the Jarawa tribe in India’s Andaman Islands have backfired following swift action by the authorities. Five poachers have been arrested and are to face up to seven years in prison. Apart from the five, the Pradhan of Kadamtala was also arrested, making a total of 6 arrests in the case.
On October 3, a story emerged in the Andaman press that a group of ten Jarawa had left the forest demanding to meet with the Lieutenant Governor of the islands. They reportedly demanded iron tools and food, claiming they were hungry because they weren’t given food by the authorities. They were quoted as saying, ‘We want our children to study in school, like children of Onge. We also want to become rich’.
For many, these demands did not ring true, as the hunter-gatherer Jarawa have shown no sign of wishing to enter the mainstream. The motive behind their demands became clearer when the Pradhan said in an interview to Andaman Chronicle that the Jarawa want to come into the mainstream… ‘There are so many uninhabited islands. Why can’t the Administration settle them in one of the islands? In this way the settlers will also be able to live in peace.’
The administration responded swiftly and the following day a team was sent to investigate. They found that five people, who allegedly have a long history of poaching in the Jarawa’s forest, had entered the Jarawa’s reserve and apparently prompted the Jarawa to make these demands. The authorities also report that the suspects were found to have supplied alcohol to the Jarawa.
The five have been arrested and charged with violating the regulations that protect the tribe and their land. This carries a prison sentence of up to seven years. Meanwhile the Pradhan was arrested for Abetment U/s 190 of IPC and was later released on bail.
The theft of the animals that the Jarawa rely on is a huge threat to the very existence of the tribe. The introduction of liquor to the Jarawa is also extremely dangerous. It could lead to a crippling dependency, not just on alcohol, but also on those from outside who can provide it. This would rob the Jarawa of their self-sufficiency – they have thrived on the islands for up to 55,000 years.
Survival International has long been calling for greater action against local poachers who remain a serious threat to the tribe. While welcoming the swift action that the Andaman authorities in this case Survival believes that the action shall send a clear message to others who invade the Jarawa’s forest.
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Kadamtala Pradhan Sampad Kumar Roy Arrested
Port Blair, Oct. 17: After the arrest of 5 persons from Kadamtala area, under Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Act 1956 today the A&N Police arrested the Pradhan of Kadamtala, Shri Sampad Kumar Roy in the morning hours.
According to sources, Sampad Kumar Roy was arrested at around 9.00 am u/s 109 IPC (Abetment) for being a part of the conspiracy. He was later produced before the Hon’ble Court of CJM at Mayabunder. After hearing the party, the Hon’ble Court granted Sampad an interim bail. Sources further confirm that the bail was granted on the plea that he is an elected public representative and his arrest would result in holding up of Govt. projects etc. Moreover being an elected representative, he is a responsible citizen and would not try to abscond.
On 03/10/13, 10 Jarawas had reached Kadamtala Panchayat office and demanded rice and eatables besides meeting with govt. officials. As per enquiry conducted by AAJVS authorities, some persons had gone into Jarawa habitat Hocha Botha (western coast) and stayed for 02 days for hunting. Further, they provided the Jarawas with rice, cooking oil and other eatables etc. instigated them to meet the Pradhan for food and other items.
These persons were found to be habitual intruders into the Jarawa Reserve Area and it is learnt that they used to supply alcoholic substances to Jarawas.
With the arrest of the Pradhan the number of arrest in the Jarawa Circus Row has risen to 6. The Police is further investigating in the matter, said Shri Chinmoy Biswal, IPS, SP (South Andaman) and I/c SP (N&M) while talking to Andaman Chronicle today.
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Port Blair, Oct 15: The cyclone Phailin touched the islands, the North & Middle Andaman in particular, and yet there has been no loss of life in these isles, due to the cyclonic weather. This speaks volumes of the preparedness on the part of the Administration to handle the disasters.
The deep depression that caused heavy rains between Oct 8 and 10 in these islands had left the low lying areas of North & Middle Andaman flooded. However, the alert District Administration lost no time in evacuating residents of 25 villages of that area and providing them with immediate relief.
With the Lt Governor himself monitoring the rescue and relief activities, the Administration, hand in hand with PRIs, Police Deptt, Coast Guard and the community volunteers carried out the relief operations in right earnest.
Meanwhile, the Lt Governor has directed the Administration for immediate disbursement of relief in accordance with the damage assessment.
To further gauge the post rehabilitation steps, the Lt Governor will be visiting the North & Middle Andamans on Oct 18, 2013.
As part of the post rehabilitation measures, the Deputy Commissioner (N&MA) has provided men & materials to the flood affected victims for construction of houses.
Simultaneously, the damage assessment survey reports for 33 villages, 22 in Rangat Tehsil and 11 in Mayabunder Tehsil have been prepared by the District Administration and the compensation will be disbursed to the flood victims immediately. The Lt Governor has directed that the task of disbursement of compensation be completed by 25th October positively.