Kochi: Turning a blind eye towards the rampant outrages and protests, the Lakshadweep administration moves on with its demolition policy as fresh orders were issued to raze down hundred of houses within 20 meters from the shoreline. The new order also includes toilets within 20m and temporary fishing sheds built on uninhabited islands.
In Kavaratti, 102 households had received demolition notice from the administration, and another 52 will receive the same shortly, according to officials. Many had received notices from block development officials in Cheriyam, Suheli Par and Kalpeni islands in a similar line.
The reply for the issued show-cause notice is deadlined on June 30th, and failure of tearing down those buildings which were issued with a notice would bring the officials themselves to do it, and the owner will be charged for the incurred expenses.
The islanders claimed that at places, buildings within 50m from shorelines also received notice. They say that many of these buildings were built about 50m from the coast, but the distance came below 20m due to the invasion of the sea. But, the authorities say that only those found illegal under the Integrated Island Management Plan are notified. Also, they claim that they are bringing down dilapidated houses and toilets, and there is no need for being anxious. In five locations, buildings are removed to build hospitals.
The Save Lakshadweep Forum (SLF) had informed that those who received demolition notices are expected to meet them with it, says Dr Muhammed Sadiq, coordinator of SLF.
Meanwhile, the islanders decided to unfold more protests. A recent order that would fine people for poor waste management is another one to the mounting reforms. Islanders, out of rage, argue that without any infrastructure for waste management, how could such an order logical.
Earlier in Cheriyum Island, the administration had ordered to pulldown fishermen's establishments along the shoreline within seven days. If fishermen did not do it voluntarily, the order asserted that the Revenue Department would do it, and the former will be charged for the expenses incurred.
The administration had torn down fishermen establishments before in a similar fashion and which had incited serious outrage within people, including islanders and outsiders. This was one among many draconian schemes introduced by the new Lakshadweep administration headed by Praful Patel.
The Kerala High Court had stayed Patel's two of many controversial reforms. One was his order to shut down dairy farms, and the second was his order to stop serving beef and chicken in school midday meals.
Earlier, on Saturday, despite expert warnings on ecological concerns, the Union Government had approved a major tourism project in Lakshadweep. The government will lend 15 hectares of land for lease for a period of 75 years for a private company to build resorts in Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep