BJP Demands NRC For Andaman
BJP has called for NRC to check influx of foreigners in Andaman & Nicobar Islands to safeguard the interests of its residents being affected by migrants from Bangladesh apparently on the advice of its central leaders. The sole Lok Sabha seat of the archipelago comprising of 572 islands is represented Bishnupada Ray of BJP since 2009.The Union Territory having an area of 8,249 km with a population of close to four lakh. . Of these, about 38 are islands are permanently inhabited. Vishal Jolly, President, A & N BJP, in a statement has made it clear that the party is not interested in Inner Line Permit .Its main demand is introduction of NRC to check influx by foreigners .Hence , Jolly said BJP will not support any agitation for Inner Line Permit . Jolly however did his best to keep local people happy by adding that BJP is for declaring a cut-off date on the lines of Assam NRC .The Central Government should issue domicile certificates to Islanders. He said that the BJP is also demanding that by framing a Domicile Law, 100 percent jobs in Andaman, must be reserved for local youths .The Andaman Administration should not delay in implementing National Register of Citizenship (NRC) . However, Jolly has not uttered a single word on the alleged ‘Influx by Bangladeshi People’. Bangladeshi migrants are among BJP’s major voters.The press release has however once again proved that how much strong influence does the present Member of Parliament has in BJP’s A & N State unit even though some jolly loyalists consider Bishnupada Ray ,MP .as an outsider since he was a bona fide resident from West Bengal’s 24 Parganas district. Influx of Bangladeshi Nationals in North and Middle Andaman and other parts of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is not unknown to anyone. Experts believe, this large number of people, suspected to be Bangladeshi, also has local documents and hence in coming elections their votes will be a deciding factor. Therefore such last minute move of politicians and political parties and also silence of opposition parties in Andaman, is not surprising. The Andaman Islands are an Indian archipelago in the Bay of Bengal. These roughly 300 islands are known for their palm-lined, white-sand beaches, mangroves and tropical rainforests. Coral reefs supporting marine life such as sharks and rays make for popular diving and snorkelling sites. Indigenous Andaman Islanders inhabit the more remote islands, many of which are off limits to visitors. Jolly has also met Chetan B. Shanghi, Chief Secretary, and requested him for setting up a Professional Degree College in A&N Islands. This is necessary for providing job oriented education to future generation and motivating self-employment opportunity (pic courtesy Wikipedia .inputs from Andaman Seekha)
