Port Blair, Jan. 18: The Lt Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh, PVSM, AVSM along with the Director General of Police and the Principal Secretary (Tribal Welfare) had left for a visit to North and Middle Andaman today. At Kadamtala and Baratang the Lt. Governor addressed large public meetings attended by the Adhyaksh, Zilla Parishad, Pradhans, PRI members among others.

“There is no need to panic as some people had spread rumours of the closure of the ATR. There was no move to close down the ATR and nor was there any plan to stop developmental activities in the Buffer Zone area”, the LG explained.

He cautioned the people to stay away from such kind of rumours being floated by certain people with some kind of vested interests.

The LG further said, “Our Islands have a great reputation of being a role model for the entire country and the world where the most primitive tribes and the modern civilization live side by side in their respective areas in total peace and harmony. Therefore no one should create any such rift or misunderstanding between the tribals and the non-tribal population”.

Assuring special funds for development and priority to grievances of the people, the Lt. Governor said, “As the North & Middle Andaman District is a relatively new district, special funds will be allocated for certain development works in these areas through the District Administration and the PRIs. All grievances of the people of North & Middle Andaman will be attended to on priority by all the concerned departments, which will be regularly monitored by the Administration at the District and UT level”.