Port Blair, Dec. 26: The CPI (M) has demanded to shift the crocodiles from all residential areas of A&N Islands to the Crocodile sanctuary. 

In a letter sent to the Lt. Governor, A&N Islands, Shri D. Ayyappan, State Secretary of CPI (M) has demanded that a policy decision may be taken not to release the hatchlings/ baby crocodiles in the nearby areas of human inhabitation henceforth. He drew the attention of the Lt. Governor to the incident occurred at New Manglutan recently in which a person was killed by the crocodile while fishing in the creek near his house. Ayyappan along with other leaders visited the residence of the victim on 25^th December 2022 morning and spoke to his family members, relatives and villagers assembled there.

He stated in his letter that the area is inhabited by a large number of fishermen and fishing is their only income. The villagers informed Shri Ayyappan that the above incident occurred due to the sheer callousness of the authorities concerned as no action was taken by the authorities to shift the crocodiles from the area to the Crocodile sanctuary despite requests by the fishermen villagers.

The incident occurred at a place 1 KM away from Guptapara Fish Landing Centre. It is surprising that the crocodiles were allowed to remain at a place where fishermen are fishing and inhabit.  Ayyappan alleged that no concrete step was taken by the Environment & Forest Department of the A&N Administration or by the concerned Panchayat Raj Institutions to shift the crocodile from the area because of which the instant incident occurred.

He informed the Lt. Governor that the rescue operation launched by the Forest Department to save the victim was also not effective and it was reportedly conducted in a very casual manner.  The family members of the victim and the villagers have reported to the CPI (M) leaders that no officer from the Administration visited their home or in the area after the tragic incident and it was left at the discretion of the lower level officials of the Forest Department.  

The CPI (M) Secretary urged upon the Lt. Governor to issue necessary directions to the concerned authorities in this regard.