Port Blair, Nov 09: To press the Central Government and A&N Administration to reconstruct and repair the damaged NH-4 road, the Andaman & Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee organized a massive ”Chakka Jam” and “Jail Bharo Andolan” in 3 places of North & Middle Andaman District here on Wednesday.
The protest at Rangat was led by ANTCC President Mr. Rangalal Halder, while the protest at Diglipur was led by ANTCC Campaign Committee Chairman Mr. TSG Bhasker and the protest at Baratang was led by Zilla Parishad Member Mr. Alagarswamy.
The impact of the Chakka Jam was visible on the roads. All types of vehicles remained off the road across Baratang, Rangat and Diglipur and all shops were shut down.
A large number of people gathered at the protesting site and pressed for a solution to the long pending demand of reconstruction and repair of the dilapidated NH-4 road.
The Congress leaders including Mr. Rangalal Halder, Mr. TSG Bhasker, Mr. Alagarswamy, Mrs. Mariyam Bibi, Mr. Mohd. Zubair, Mr. M.A Sajid, Mr. Sebastian Tirkey, Mr. Y. Joga Rao and Mr. Ameer Bux were taken into custody and brought to respective Police Stations and Community Halls after they refused to stop their protest.
The Congress leaders demanded for immediate lying of roads in the stretches where the road is invisible.
In Diglipur, Mr. TSG Bhasker handed over a representation letter to the Assistant Commissioner seeking immediate action. He also gave a letter to the DSP, Diglipur requesting him to find and retrieve the missing NH-4 road.
The representation letter contained 7-point charter of demands including Assurance from the Administration on the early completion of NH-4 road, Handing over of NH-4 road work to the APWD, Immediate allotment of additional funds by the Administration for the early completion of the NH-4 road, Daily ship service and helicopter service to Kadamtala, Rangat, Mayabunder and Diglipur until the road work is completed, Visit of the Lt. Governor and Chief Secretary by road within a week to personally experience the hardship being faced by the residents of Middle and North Andaman, Immediate posting of senior specialist in Diglipur, Mayabunder and Rangat to attend the patients who are unable to reach Port Blair for medical emergencies and Written assurance by the Administration on all these demands.