KOCHI: Bitra Island, one of the 10 inhabited isles in the Lakshadweep archipelago, is set to be taken over by government for defence purposes. There are 105 families on the island and many have opposed the move.The Lakshadweep revenue department has issued a notification, dated July 11, for a social impact assessment (SIA). It stated that the intention was to transfer the entire island to defence and strategic agencies considering its “strategic location” and “national security relevance”.
Lakshadweep MP Hamdullah Sayeed alleged that the move was aimed at disrupting peace in the area and would be opposed tooth and nail.Lakshadweep MP vows to fight for Bitra islandersIn a video message, Lakshadweep MP Hamdullah Syeed asked Bitra natives not to worry or be anxious about the notification. “As your MP, we held a conference that included leaders from Bitra and Lakshadweep and discussed it in detail. We have decided to fight with the people of Bitra, politically and legally,” he said. Sayeed said the government had already acquired land required for defence purposes on several islands. Targeting Bitra, which has had an indigenous population for decades, without considering any alternative, is unacceptable. He also criticised the administration for not holding any consultation with the islanders. The notification said that a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) was needed as per provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Trans- parency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. Naming the department of revenue as the project developer, it said SIA activities included consultations with all stakeholders of the proposed area, including the gram sabha. “The SIA and Consent Society, UT of Lakshadweep, will complete the survey of the proposed area under acquisition within two months from the date of the notification,” it said, adding that consent of gram sabhas and/or landowners was not mandatory.
