Port Blair: Several journalists of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been protesting the move of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to construct a 50-berth Yacht Marina at historic Viper Island of Andamans.
Journalists, hailing from Subhash Chandra Press Club, had been protesting since March 5, 2012 in front of the secretariat building of A & N Administration.
The scribes were demanding immediate withdrawal of the proposal as they believed that such project will ruin the sanctity of the Island, a witness to untold sufferings of freedom fighters, who were brought to Andamans from all over India during British era.
” From 1858 to 1906, till the Cellular Jail was constructed, our freedom fighters and panel settlers were being kept at Viper Island initially in an open jail. Viper Island is a national heritage and members of Subhash Chandra Press Club have been demanding to withdraw such evil design tourism project, ” Mr Shyam Singh Yadav, the General Secretary of Subhash Chandra Press Club, told UNI on Thursday.
The Viper Island is located very close to Port Blair city and is presently a prominent tourist destination as it still has jail rooms and the infamous gallows, where many freedom fighters were hanged. The journalists of SC Press Club had also written series of letters to the President and Prime Minister demanding withdrawal of the proposal and declaration of Viper Island as a part of National Memorial Cellular Jail. Not only this, the journalists apprehended that the 50-berth marina as a security threat to the entire nation.
” The approach Viper Island by sea is only through the Naval Jetty, having Floating Dry Dock of Navy (FDN-II), which is a protected and prohibited harbour. Movement of foreign Yachts and boats will definitely pose threat to the security of our nation, ” Mr Singh added.
However, when contacted none in Andaman’s Tourism Department was available for comments. (UNI)