16th November 2006, Hut Bay - Port Blair
Human Rights Law Network
Phone: 03192-230 756
The Facts
On 16th November 2006, at Hut Bay in Little Andaman, over 1,500 peacefully protesting women, children and men were shelled with tear gas and lathi charged by the police and Indian Reserve Battalion. Over 100 people were injured, of whom 80 had to be taken for medical treatment to the Public Health Centre (PHC). Over 12 have been admitted to the PHC.
The tsunami affected population had submitted a memorandum of objections to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Administration on 2nd November expressing objections to the location, design and structure of the proposed permanent shelters. The memorandum categorically requested a hearing from the concerned authorities, failing which the people would resort to a peaceful protest.
With no assurances forthcoming from any officials, the people organised a silent march on 9th November. This was followed by a two day sit in protest and bandh on 15th and 16th November. In the absence of any response from the administration, on the evening of 16th November, the people went to the police station and pressed for a "jail bharo" (fill the jail) to register their protest. The police used tear gas and resorted to lathi charge to disperse the crowd, and at around 8 pm fired in the air. Women were also injured in the ensuing mayhem.
Background
The tsunami affected population in the Islands has been raising objections to the shelter process be it the temporary, intermediate or permanent housing from the very outset.
The ugly turn of events undoes the farce of the Government of India, Ministry of Urban Development, and Central Public Works Department (CPWD), regarding the construction of permanent houses for people of A&N Islands affected by the tsunami.
High level teams consisting of architects and town planners from CPWD; TCPO; IIT Roorkee; SERC, Chennai; and Prof. A.S. Arya, seismic advisor, MHA, interacted with the people a number of times to solicit their opinions regarding the permanent shelters. The Ministry maintains that they want to provide the affected people with a modern habitat to improve their living standards without affecting their lifestyles. The recent events, however, reveal the simmering discontent among the people and bring to surface the inadequacy of the process and the sham of consultation. The Ministry and Department web sites boast of a participatory process where people's opinion has been sought on:
? Area of the dwelling unit to be built
? Specifications of the dwelling units
? Materials to be used in construction
? Agency which should build these dwelling units
In reality, however, these decisions have been taken solely by the Administration without any input from the people. It is this undemocratic process of decision-making of the Administration on these particular issues that the people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are protesting.
Discontent is rampant in other islands as well, as people refuse to concede to vested interests of construction companies and authorities in Delhi. The right to adequate housing is a human right, one which guarantees people's participation and choice in the nature of housing. It is the legally binding obligation of the national and local administration to fulfill this obligation and uphold the human rights of tsunami survivors in the Islands.
Bhuneshwari Devi, Kranti
Source: Shivani Choudhary's post in andamanicobar@yahoogroups.co.in
17 Nov 2006