The natives of Kamorta refuse to give up what the navy claims it 'acquired' in 1979
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—Rashid Yusuf, spokesperson for the Federation of Tribal Councils, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Things took a turn for the worse early this year, when the navy began cutting down plantations on the disputed land with help from the revenue department. The tribals were up in arms, for land in six villages was demarcated. Skirmishes broke out between the tribals and the navy, fuelling misgivings. "We’re required to apply for tickets to use the civil helicopter that ferries us to Port Blair thrice a week. The trips are crucial to us. But the navy, which owns the helipad, has threatened to deny us tickets if we continue to agitate for our land," says Rashid Yusuf, a tribal leader and spokesperson for the Federation of Tribal Councils, Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Though under pressure, the tribals stand resolved to agitate if the land isn’t restored to them.
What’s particularly vexing is that the navy has no plans to pay compensation of any sort. Worse, it hyperbolises the tribals’ demands into an attack on the nation. The navy’s Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC) says the tribals’ allegations of encroachment are untrue, malicious and detrimental to the image and morale of the armed forces. "The issue is being fanned by anti-national elements, who are now adding (sic) the emotions of the tribal population in order to attain their own ends. Levelling baseless allegations against the nation’s armed forces, especially in these times of sub-conventional and separatist threats, is tantamount to high treason," the ANC said in a February 13 press release.
Yusuf asks if fighting for one’s land is anti-national. Insulted by the navy’s allegations, the tribal councils decided to boycott the Lok Sabha elections. It took the intervention of Manoranjan Bhakta, the MP from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, to persuade the tribals to withdraw their boycott call. A delegation of tribals met defence minister A.K. Antony in New Delhi last week and he has assured them that he would look into their grievances and have officials determine the facts in the matter. "We are waiting to see whether our concerns will be addressed," says Yusuf.
But what is the factual position as regards the 230 acres in question? Tribal leaders reveal that the navy’s claim on the land is based on a document signed by one Rani Lachmi, "Rani of Nancowrie", dated September 25, 1978, and an allotment order subsequently issued by the deputy commissioner, Nicobar district, dated November 15, 1979.
Of course, there is no denying the fact that the area is strategic to the navy. The INS Kardip is an advanced forward naval base in the defence set-up. The defence forces already have 317 acres at Kamorta island but wants the additional 230 acres for "strategic reasons."
The armed forces are presently engaged in an exhaustive joint survey for demarcation of land at Kamorta. In addition to representatives from the army, navy and the coast guard, the team includes a surveyor and draughtsman appointed by the Andaman & Nicobar administration as well as a representative from the assistant defence estates office, Port Blair.
In reply to Outlook’s questionnaire, the defence ministry said: "The defence minister has ordered that the issues raised by the delegation be examined expeditiously, because of the nature of allegations made against the navy, so that the factual position can be ascertained."
The tribals see the entire operation as land-grabbing by the navy. Many have begun to question the rationale of giving away their land and the time taken by the navy to claim it as its own. "Giving away 230 acres of land which does not belong to the Rani is amazing. Besides, Nancowry was not one of the 442 princely states under British domain. There is no evidence of an instrument of accession signed by the rani," says Samir Acharya of the Society for Andaman & Nicobar Ecology.
Interestingly, regulations for Union Territories like the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are promulgated by the President, the one relevant to this matter being the Andaman & Nicobar Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Regulation, promulgated in 1956. The entire island of Kamorta, except the naval port area, was declared a tribal reserve by gazette notification in 1957. No one can acquire any right on any land or produce except with consent of the administrator/chief commissioner. This, the tribals allege, was not obtained by the navy.
For tribals the takeover of the land comes minus any compensation. Till now, they were cultivating the land. But once the navy moves in, they will be denied that source of livelihood. Which is why their leaders have been standing up to the might of the navy and the government.