Kochi: As the Lakshadweep administration moves to acquire land in the name of defence and tourism projects, around 160 families on Agatti Island are under threat of eviction.
The protests are intensifying after the Lakshadweep Deputy Collector issued an order for a social impact study of the project. Agatti is a small island rich in natural beauty, fish resources and coral reefs, which is seven kilometres long.
The move is to acquire 67.11 acres of land from the north, south and central parts of Agatti Island, which is home to about eight thousand people.
37.74 acres of land are being acquired in the north of Agatti Island to set up field base support units for the Indian Air Force, while 29.37 acres are being acquired in the south and central parts for the tourism department.
0.47 acres will be acquired for city centre development, 3.94 acres for family hut development, and 24.96 acres for tourism and other public development projects. Currently, there are about 100 tourism huts operating in the region. With the acquisition of land, many families who operate these huts will lose their source of income.
It is pointed out that with the implementation of the project, around 160 families will lose their houses and land, as well as churches and fishermen's boat sheds.
The Deputy Collector has ordered to conduct a social impact study and submit a report within two months. NCP (SP) Lakshadweep State General Secretary Abdul Jabbar alleged that the Lakshadweep administration is behind the project to eliminate the livelihood and income of the local people and evict them from the island, even though government land is available. There is also a move to file a petition to the President.