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News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Government Plans To Acquire Key Lakshadweep Island For Defence Purposes
Last Updated: 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 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) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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First Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
To boost 'national security,' India set to take over Lakshadweep's Bitra island for defence forces
The archipelago's revenue department has issued a notification for a social impact assessment (SIA) for the Bitra island. The notice 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' read more The central government has decided to take over one of the Lakshadweep inhabited islands, Bitra, to use for defence-related activities. Currently, Bitra has a residency of 105 families, and many of them have opposed the reported takeover. However, the archipelago's revenue department has issued a notification for a social impact assessment (SIA) for the Bitra island. The notice 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'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It added that an SIA is required under the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. It identified the Department of Revenue as the project developer and noted that the process would involve consultations with all stakeholders in the proposed area, including the gram sabha. Local MP opposes move The move to turn Bitra into a defence base has not been welcomed by the locals, including the Lakshadweep MP Hamdullah Syeed, who has assured residents not to worry 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,' he said. He added that the government has already acquired lands for defence purposes on several islands. 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. The existing Naval Detachment Minicoy, currently under the operational command of the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Lakshadweep), is set to be commissioned as INS Jatayu. While a naval detachment typically includes administrative, logistics, and medical support, INS Jatayu will be developed into a full-fledged naval base. This upgrade will include additional infrastructure such as an airfield, residential facilities, and expanded personnel capacity, pending necessary environmental and other regulatory clearances.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt plans defence ‘takeover' of Lakshadweep island
File photo KOCHI: Bitra Island, one of the 10 inhabited isles in the Lakshadweep archipelago, is set to be taken over by govt for defence purposes. There are 105 families on the island and many have opposed the move. Lakshadweep revenue department has issued a notification, dated July 11, for a social impact assessment (SIA). It stated that the intention was to transfer the entire island to defence and strategic agencies considering its 'strategic location' and 'national security relevance'. L akshadweep MP Hamdullah Sayeed alleged that the move was aimed at disrupting peace in the area and would be opposed tooth and nail. Lakshadweep MP vows to fight for Bitra islanders In a video message, Lakshadweep MP Hamdullah Syeed asked Bitra natives not to worry or be anxious about the notification. 'As your MP, we held a confer- ence that included leaders from Bitra and Lakshad- weep and discussed it in de- tail. We have decided to fight with the people of Bitra, po- litically and legally,' he said. Sayeed said govt had already acquired land required for defence purposes on several islands. Targeting Bitra, which has had an indigenous population for decades, without considering any alternative, is unacceptable. He also criticised the administration for not holding any consultation with the islanders. The notification said that a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) was needed as per pro- visions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Trans- parency in Land Acquisi- tion, Rehabilitation and Re- settlement Act, 2013. Naming the department of revenue as project developer, it said SIA activities included con- sultations with all stake- holders of the proposed ar- ea, including gram sabha. 'The SIA and Consent Society, UT of Lakshad- weep, will complete the sur- vey of the proposed area un- der acquisition within two months from the date of the notification,' it said, adding that consent of gram sabhas and/or landowners was not mandatory.
