Government Plans To Acquire Key Lakshadweep Island For Defence Purposes
The government plans to acquire Bitra Island in Lakshadweep for defense, citing its strategic location. An SIA has been initiated, causing concern among residents.
The central government is considering to acquire Bitra Island, one of the 10 inhabited isles in the Lakshadweep archipelago, for defence purposes.
Lakshadweep Revenue Department has also issued a notification for a social impact assessment (SIA) for the Bitra island.
The notice, issued last week, stated that the purpose of the assessment is to transfer the entire island to defence and strategic agencies owing to its 'strategic location" and 'national security relevance", news agency PTI reported.
'The initiative is necessitated by the strategic location of the island, its national security relevance, and the inherent logistical and administrative challenges associated with civilian habitation," the notification issued by the department on July 11 stated.
It added that the territorial administration would take over the island and an SIA is required under the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
The Department of Revenue has been named the project developer, and the survey will cover the full extent of land proposed for acquisition.
MP Opposes Move
Lakshadweep MP Hamdullah Syeed strongly criticised the administration's move and called it an attempt to disrupt peace in the region.
'This decision will be opposed tooth and nail. The government cannot just take over an entire inhabited island without proper consultation or sensitivity to the lives of its residents. 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.
He added that the government has already acquired lands for defence purposes on several islands.
The proposed takeover has triggered alarm among Bitra's small population of around 105 families, who now face the prospect of losing their land and being displaced from their ancestral home.
Bitra is an island covering around 91,700 sq m (0.091 sq km) and has a population of around 350. Residents said that the move could impact the fishing population across the Lakshadweep atolls, as Bitra Island has a 45 sq km lagoon area that is primarily used by fishermen from Bitra and other islands, Hindustan Times reported.
'If there is any move to displace people, we will fight it legally. There are around 350 persons here, including children, all dependent on fishing and coconut plantations. There is a school and a health centre in Bitra too. Fishermen from other islands also come here because of the abundance of lagoon fish, tuna, and groupers," a resident told the news outlet.
Naval Base In Lakshadweep
Last year, the Ministry of Defence announced the commissioning of a new naval base, INS Jatayu, in Lakshadweep's Minicoy island.
All About Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep an archipelago consisting of coral islands and reefs, is the smallest Union Territory of India. These beautiful and unpolluted Islands comprising of total land area of about 32 Sq. Kms, are surrounded by about 4,200 Sq.Km territorial sea area.
Lakshadweep has 10 inhabited islands, 17 uninhabited islands, a good number of attached islets, four newly formed islets and five submerged reefs. They are scattered in the Arabian Sea at distance of 220 to 440 kilometres off the west coast of Kerala.
The islands are designated as restricted area and permit from the Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration (UTLA) is required to visit the islands. People here mainly depend on water transport for movement between the islands and the mainland.
(With inputs from PTI)
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