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The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Local body elections: scrutiny of EVMs begins in Ernakulam
Preparatory works ahead of the forthcoming local body elections have started in Ernakulam district as the first round of scrutiny of the electronic voting machines (EVMs) began on Friday (July 25, 2025). District Collector N.S.K. Umesh monitored the scrutiny process held at the Usha Tourist Home here. The representatives of recognised political parties can watch the one-month-long work. The officials will verify the functioning of the control and ballot units as part of the directive issued by the State Election Commission to ensure the conduct of the local body elections in a proper and transparent manner. The scrutiny is being held by the Department of Revenue in association with the Department of Local Self-Government. Around 11,760 ballot units and 4,700 control units will be checked as part of the process. The units were stored in safe and secure store rooms. A dummy voting process will be held to ensure that the ballot and control units are working without any hiccups. After the completion of the scrutiny, the electronic voting machines will be sealed and kept back in the store rooms. The State Election Commission has directed that the first phase of scrutiny of the voting machines has to be completed before August 25. Around 120 officials from the Revenue and Local Self-Government departments were involved in the work. Nearly 60 officials will be involved in the scrutiny at a time. The services of the officials of Electronic Corporation of India, which manufactured the electronic voting machines, will be available at the scrutiny hall to rectify technical snags.
Mint
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Where is Bitra, why govt want to take over the island and why are locals protesting: All you need to know
A new report claimed on July 19 that the government of Lakshadweep is planning to take over Bitra island. The administration's move invited strong protest by the locals and Lakshadweep MP Hamdullah Sayeed, who said, "The land handed over by our ancestors is ours only. Here's all you need to know about Bitra island's takeover: Bitra is the smallest inhabited island located in the northern region of Lakshadweep. According to the government's website, it has a length of 0.57km and a width of 0.28km at the broadest point. It's around 483 km away from Kochi, Kerala. As per the 2011 census, the population of Bitra island is 271. The Lakshadweep administration is considering the acquisition of Bitra for defence purposes, news agency PTI reported. A government notification issued on July 11 outlined this proposal for the Department of Revenue to take over the entire land area of Bitra Island and transfer it to the relevant defence and strategic agencies of the Centre. The notification clarified that the initiative is driven by the island's strategic location, its national security relevance, and the inherent logistical and administrative challenges posed by civilian habitation. If the plan is implemented, Bitra would become the third island in Lakshadweep to host a defence establishment, following INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti and INS Jatayu in Minicoy. According to the CSR Journal, the island of Bitra is strategically important to India as it lies in a key position in the Arabian Sea. Its proximity to major international shipping routes makes it significant for surveillance and defence. The journal further claimed that the move is part of a larger national plan to boost defence presence on India's critical island territories. "After recent strategic upgrades in the Indian Navy's bases at Minicoy and Androth islands, Bitra has come up for acquisition to complement India's surveillance network in the Arabian Sea," it added. Minicoy is the southern most island in the Lakshadweep archipelago, which straddles primary maritime trade routes between the Strait of Malacca and the gulfs of Aden and Hormuz. The report also cited defence experts as saying that the military installations in these islands will help India keep a close watch on the busy sea lanes, counter illegal activities, and respond quickly to maritime threats posed by neighbouring countries. With the government's latest plan to boost its defence, the future of Bitra's residents remains uncertain. There are reportedly 105 families on the island and many have opposed the move. According to South First, the islanders have started a social media campaign called 'Save Bitra Island' and organised a protest in Kochi against the administration. Protestors also burned a copy of the order and an image of Administrator Praful Khoda Patel. The CSR journal reported that "as India seeks to strengthen its presence in the Indian Ocean through key island fortifications, the balance between national security needs and residents' rights is being tested once again in remote regions like Lakshadweep." Lakshadweep MP Hamdullah Sayeed criticised the government's move as an attempt to displace the indigenous population. In a post on Instagram, he said the government's move is unjust and that "this land handed over by our ancestors is ours only." In a statement issued by his office, the MP said Bitra is the smallest inhabited island in the UT and he would strongly protest against the administration's attempt to acquire it under the pretext of defense requirements. Sayeed said that the land required for defense purposes has already been acquired by the government in several islands. He said that targeting Bitra, which has had a permanent population for decades, without considering any of these alternatives, is completely unacceptable. He further criticised the administration for initiating such actions without any consultation with the indigenous residents, especially at a time when there are no functioning of local panchayat in the islands. He stated that this kind of unilateral action undermines the democratic system and violates the constitutional rights guaranteed to citizens. MP Hamdullah Sayeed extended complete support to the local residents of the island. He vowed to raise the issue in Parliament and explore both legal and political channels to resist the plan. He also demanded to withdraw the decision be withdrawn immediately. The final decision on the acquisition will depend on the findings from the Social Impact Assessment and the central government's stance. The Lakshadweep administration would take over the island as per the relevant provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resetlement Act, 2013 for which Social Impact Assessment study has to be undertaken for the affected area. District Collector Shivam Chandra, in the order, said all stakeholders, including grama sabhas, would be consulted as part of the Social Impact Assessment initiatives. The survey of the proposed area under the acquisition would be completed within two months from the date of the publication of the notification on July 11, it added.
India.com
20-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
India is going to take control of this island due to..., it is located in...
India is going to take control of this island due to..., it is located in...(Representational Image) The Lakshadweep administration is considering the acquisition of Bitra, one of the 10 inhabited islands in the archipelago, for defence purposes. The move invited a strong protest from Lakshadweep MP Hamdullah Sayeed, who extended complete support to the local residents of the island and promised them to explore political and legal avenues to resist it. At present, there are 105 families on the island. And several have opposed the move. A recent government notification outlined this proposal for the Department of Revenue to take over the entire land area of Bitra Island, reported news agency PTI. The intent is to transfer it to relevant defense and strategic agencies of the Centre. What is the reason behind acquiring Bitra Island? The notification, issued last week, clarified that the initiative is driven by the strategic location of the island, its national security relevance, and the inherent logistical and administrative challenges posed by the civilian habitation. According to the news agency PTI report, the territorial administration would take over the island as per the relevant provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resetlement Act, 2013 for which Social Impact Assessment study has to be undertaken for the affected area. District Collector Shivam Chandra, in the order, said all stakeholders, including grama sabhas, would be consulted as part of the Social Impact Assessment initiatives. The survey of the proposed area under the acquisition would be completed within two months from the date of the publication of the notification on July 11, it stated. Why are some locals opposing the government's decision? On the other hand, Lakshadweep MP Hamdullah Sayeed has stood up firm against the move to take over Bitra island by the UT administration. He stated that the real objective behind the move is to displace the indigenous population. In a statement issued by his office, the MP said Bitra is the smallest inhabited island in the UT and he would strongly protest against the administration's attempt to acquire it under the pretext of defense requirements. He also demanded that the decision be withdrawn immediately. Sayeed pointed out that the land required for defense purposes has already been acquired by the government in several islands. He stated that targeting Bitra, which has had a permanent population for decades, without considering any of these alternatives, is completely unacceptable. Why is Bitra Island strategically important for defence? Furthermore, he criticised the administration for initiating such actions without any consultation with the indigenous residents, especially at a time when there are no functioning of local panchayat in the islands. He stated that this kind of unilateral action undermines the democratic system and violates the constitutional rights guaranteed to citizens. In a statement, the MP assured that he would stand with the people of Bitra and would explore all political and legal avenues to resist the move. In addition, he also stated that he would raise the issue in the upcoming Parliament session, urging the central government to intervene immediately. Hamdullah Sayeed, MP for Lakshadweep, in a video message has given assurances to the people of Bitra not to panic or feel 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,' Hamdullah Sayeed stated, as reported by The Times of India.
India Today
19-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Lakshadweep's smallest island planned for defence use, MP protests move
The Lakshadweep administration is considering the acquisition of Bitra, one of the inhabited islands in the archipelago, for defence move invited a strong protest from Lakshadweep MP Hamdullah Sayeed, who extended complete support to the local residents of the island and promised them to explore political and legal avenues to resist it.A recent government notification outlined this proposal for the Department of Revenue to take over the entire land area of Bitra The intent is to transfer it to relevant defence and strategic agencies of the notification, issued last week, clarified that the initiative is driven by the strategic location of the island, its national security relevance and the inherent logistical and administrative challenges posed by the civilian territorial administration would take over the island as per the relevant provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resetlement Act, 2013 for which Social Impact Assessment study has to be undertaken for the affected Collector Shivam Chandra, in the order, said all stakeholders, including grama sabhas, would be consulted as part of the Social Impact Assessment survey of the proposed area under the acquisition would be completed within two months from the date of the publication of the notification on July 11, it Lakshadweep MP Hamdullah Sayeed has stood up firm against the move to take over Bitra island by the UT administration and said the real objective behind the move is to displace the indigenous a statement issued by his office, the MP said Bitra is the smallest inhabited island in the UT and he would strongly protest against the administration's attempt to acquire it under the pretext of defence also demanded to withdraw the decision pointed out that the land required for defence purposes has already been acquired by the government in several islands."Targetting Bitra, which has had a permanent population for decades, without considering any of these alternatives, is completely unacceptable," he further criticised the administration for initiating such actions without any consultation with the indigenous residents, especially at a time when there are no functioning of local panchayat in the stated that this kind of unilateral action undermined the democratic system and violated the constitutional rights guaranteed to MP, in the statement, assured that he would stand with the people of Bitra and would explore all political and legal avenues to resist the also stated that he would raise the issue in the upcoming Parliament session, urging the central government to intervene immediately.- EndsMust Watch
Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Lakhsadweep govt plans to takeover Bitra island for defence needs, meets local resistance
The government of Lakhsadweep is set to take over Bitra island, an atoll in the Union Terrirtory , to make use of it for defence purposes. However, the move has been met with resistance with local MP Hamdullah Sayeed vowing to raise the issue in Parliament. A government notification, issued on July 11, outlined the proposal for Lakshadweep's Department of Revenue to take over the entire land area of Bitra island and transfer it to relevant Central defense and strategic agencies, as per news agency PTI reported With 271 residents, as per the Census 2011, Bitra is the least populated among the 10 inhabited islands in the Lakshadweep UT. With this move, Bitra would become the third island in the archipelago with a defence establishment – two Indian naval bases in the archipelago are INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti, the capital of the UT, and INS Jatayu in Minicoy, the southernmost island. The notification by the UT administration stated that the initiative is driven by the strategic location of the island, its national security relevance, and the inherent logistical and administrative challenges posed by the civilian habitation, as per news agency PTI. The administration said the steps will be taken in accordance with the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 which necessitates a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) for the affected area. As per the order, District Collector Shivam Chandra said all stakeholders, including grama sabhas, would be consulted as part of the SIA, and the survey would be completed in two months. Slamming the move, Lakshadweep MP Sayeed alleged the real objective behind the move was to displace the indigenous population. He pointed out that land in several islands have already been acquired for defense purposes. The Congress leader also said targeting the island, which has housed a permanent population for decades, without considering any of these alternatives, is completely unacceptable. Further, he criticised the administration for initiating the process, especially at a time when there are no functioning panchayats, saying that it undermines the democratic system and violates the constitutional rights guaranteed to citizens. Sayeed vowed that he would explore all political and legal avenues to resist the move.
