The True Mirror of A & N Islands
Director General, Indian Coast Guard, Paramesh Sivamani, AVSM, PTM, TM on visit to A&N Islands called on Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Hon’ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands and Vice-Chairman, Islands Development Agency today at Raj Niwas. Discussed issues related to Indian Coast Guard and A&N Coast Guard Region including force accretion, infra perspective plans and enhancing coastal security of the Islands.
Sri Vijaya Puram, May 06: CPI (M) Andaman & Nicobar State Organising Committee has organised a Mass Demonstration today (6.5.2025) in front of the DSS Gate at Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram) to protest against the central government’s failure to resolve the shipping issues in the islands and with the demand to arrange ship tickets to all the intending passengers or to introduce chartered flights during this peak summer vacation season. Party has also demanded acquisition of more ships for inter-island services.
Inaugurating the mass demonstration, D. Ayyappan, Secretary, CPI (M) A & N State Organising Committee vehemently criticized the BJP-led government at the centre for the non-availability of passenger ships in the islands. He said that the lone mainland-bound passenger ship m.v. Swarajdweep has not been made available during this summer vacation as the ship is at drydock for annual survey. He said that construction of two ships of 1200 passenger capacity in the Cochin Shipyard for the Andaman & Nicobar Administration have been stopped by the central government despite the Administration spending hundreds of crores of rupees for the purpose. Due to these reasons, the general public in the islands are facing difficulty to get ship tickets for proceeding to mainland. He said that flight tickets in the island-mainland sectors are very high and the government has no control over the private airlines.
Addressing the gathering B. Chandrachoodan, CPI(M) State Secretariat Member came down heavily on the central government for its all-round failure in resolving the problems confronted by the islanders. SP Kalairajan, State Organising Committee Member, senior leader P. Banerjee and NKPNair, Port Blair Area Committee Member also addressed the gathering.
The mass demonstration was led by D. Laxman Rao and P. Sathyapal, State Secretariat Members of the party. R. Surendran Pillai, President, CITU was also present. A large number of party leaders and workers participated in the mass demonstration.
Sri Vijaya Puram, May 06: In a concerted drive against illegal liquor trade, multiple excise raids were carried out at various locations under the jurisdiction of Police Station Mayabunder on 04/05/2025. The operation was led by Inspector S. Kannan, SHO, PS Mayabunder, along with a dedicated police team comprising SI Benedict, SI C. Manivannan, PCs Radika Kujur, Mukta Sarkar, Sameer Ali, Abdul Asis, Ruth, Jared Rodreick, and Chanden Sen.
During the course of the raids, the police team conducted thorough searches at identified premises based on credible inputs and surveillance. As a result, a total of 44 bottles of IMFL were recovered from two different locations—Karmatang 10 and Rest Camp, Mayabunder. The liquor was being stored and possessed without a valid license, in clear violation of Excise laws. All recovered IMFL bottles were seized on the spot and legal proceedings have been initiated against the accused persons under the relevant sections of Excise Regulation.
The entire operation was conducted under the supervision of Mr. Ankesh Yadav, DANIPS, SDPO Diglipur.
The successful operation not only led to the confiscation of the illegal contraband but also sends a strong message about the commitment of North & Middle Andaman District Police to ensure the safety and security of the community by curbing the illegal trade of such substances.
The general public is requested to pass and share any credible information pertaining to any crime or illegal activities to their nearest Police Station or over phone No.100, 112 & 03192-273344. The identity of the informers will be kept secret and will also be suitably rewarded.
Sri Vijaya Puram, May 6: In the evening hours of May 3, 2025, the Forest officials of Garacharma Range conducted a successful routine patrolling operation. The operation resulted in the detection and seizure of illegally possessed sawn timber of various categories along with machineries & tools from a clandestinely operated Furniture unit in an old non-residential house at Bimblitan beat area under Garacharma Range.
The operation was led by Shri Shyam Sunder Rao, Forester (Beat Officer, Bimblitan Beat) in active coordination with team members Shri P Papa Rao, Shri Randhir Soreng & Shri Loganathan, Mazdoors with further assistance from Shri Jagdeep Lall & Shri Nabin Sarkar, Forest Guards. The team detected the illegally operated Furniture unit and enquired about the relevant documents for operating the Furniture unit but the accused could not furnish any such documents. The team carried out an intensive search of the unit and recovered illegally possessed sawn timber along with various fashioned timber items.
The operation resulted in the seizure of illegally possessed 0.693 cbm of sawn Padauk timber, 0.786 cbm of Taung Pienne timber, 5 Nos. of fashioned timber items along with other machineries & tools used in the illegal activity. The accused was arrested on the spot under relevant sections for violation of ANI Forest Produce Transit Rule 1966 of the Indian Forest Act, 1972 and was subsequently released on bail bond from the Range Officer, Garacharma Range. Further investigations are going on to ascertain the origin of the illegally possessed sawn timber. General public have been requested to pass on any credible information of illegal activities related to forest and wildlife offense via Helpline Number 03192-255228. Identity of the informer will be kept confidential.
Port Blair, May 06, 2025: The State Control Room has issued a weather alert following a forecast from IMD Kolkata, warning of heavy rainfall and potential coastal hazards across parts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
According to the bulletin, no significant weather activity has been predicted for six days, from May 7 to May 12.
While there is no general fisherman warning for the next five days, a Swell Surge Warning has been issued for the Andaman and Nicobar coast. Swell waves ranging from 1.3 to 1.9 meters in height, with a period between 18.0 to 24.0 seconds, are forecasted from 8:30 PM on May 5 to 11:30 PM on May 6.
Authorities have advised fishermen and small vessel operators to avoid plying during this period, warning of potential nearshore wave surges and erosion. Coastal residents and tourists are urged to stay away from beaches and avoid any entry or exit of small boats at the coastline during the swell surge event.
The Port Warning section of the bulletin currently reports no disruptions for port operations.
Port Blair, May 6, 2025: An unidentified dead body of a male was discovered lying in a vacant land opposite Tripathi Hardware in Jodakilan. The matter was reported to PS Pahargaon, and a UDFIR (No. 25/25 dated 02/05/2025) under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita has been registered.
Police authorities have stated that the identity of the deceased remains unknown, and no family members have come forward so far. The body has been preserved in the cold mortuary room of GB Pant Hospital, Sri Vijaya Puram, for the purpose of identification and claim.
Description of the Deceased:
• Age: Approximately 50–60 years
• Height: 5’2”
• Hair: White and black
• Build: Thin
• Complexion: Sallow
• Clothing: Red and blue colored striped full-sleeve shirt and white half-pants
A photo of the deceased has also been released to aid in identification efforts.
Authorities urge the general public to assist in identifying the deceased. Any information that may help trace the identity or family of the person can be reported to police at 112, 03192-236641, or 03192-250525.
Sri Vijaya Puram, May 06: It is brought to the notice of the general consumers and government departments that power supply will remain suspended at Dollygunj, Attam Pahad, Old Pahargaon, ICMR Colony area, Minnie Bay, part of School Line, Water Treatment Plant area at Lamba Lane, Bhatu Basti complete, Laxmi Motor Area, Pathergudda, Satellite Colony, New Pahargaon, CARI, Ayyanar Temple, Calicut, New Bilmblitan, part of Teylaraboad and Macca Pahad areas on 07.05.2025 (Wednesday) for carrying out shifting of load work from one power transformer to another power transformer between
In addition to above, power supply will remain suspended at Dairy Farm, Junglighat and Vijay Bagh areas on 10.05.2025 (Saturday) from 0830 Hrs. to 1230 Hrs., in connection with repair of the faulty 11 KV Feeder Ring Main Unit (FRMU) installed in front of Junglighat jetty, to enture uninterrupted power to consumers of the area.
The aforementioned time is tentative. If the work is completed before the scheduled time, the feeders will be recharged accordingly.
For further inquiries, please visit the Electricity Department’s website at https://vidyut.andaman.gov.in.
Consumers facing any issues related to the power supply may call the toll-free number 1800-345-1111 to register their complaints.
The inconvenience caused is regretted.
Sri Vijaya Puram, May 06: The Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO), in association with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, successfully conducted a Tree Plantation Drive under the nationwide initiative ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ at North Bay, South Andaman.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 50 AATO members, tourism stakeholders of North Bay, and Panchayat members of Hope Town Panchayat. A total of 100 saplings of native coastal species were planted to enhance green cover and promote sustainable tourism in the region.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. M. Vinod, President of AATO, highlighted the importance of community involvement in environmental protection and the role of the tourism industry in supporting such green initiatives.
Mr. N. Vel Murugan, Assistant Director, India Tourism (Ministry of Tourism, GOI), briefed the gathering on the vision behind the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign and the Ministry’s commitment to fostering eco-conscious tourism through afforestation and public participation.
The initiative aligns with the broader objectives of sustainable tourism and responsible environmental stewardship in the Andaman Islands, while also honoring the emotional bond between individuals and nature.
AATO extends its gratitude to the Ministry of Tourism, local panchayat representatives, and all stakeholders who contributed to making the event a success.
Sri Vijaya Puram, May 06: Botanical Survey of India, Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre initiated Five Days Hands-on training on Recent Trends in Collection, Preservation & Identification of Seaweeds for M. Sc. students of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology students to impart technical skills on Ocean Studies and Marine Biology on 06.05.2025.
Dr. C. Sivaperuman, Additional Director and Officer In-charge, Zoological Survey of India was the Chief Guest, Dr. D K Jha, Scientist F and Officer In-charge, National Institute of Ocean Technology were the Special Guest of the inaugural ceremony.
Addl. Director & Regional Head Dr. Lal Singh welcomed the gathering and brief about 05 days Workshop and Learning Modules. This programme aims to impart technical skills on Ocean Studies and Marine Biology and also it’s aimed to make the young generation aware of their surrounding bio-resource which is the prerequisite for any plant taxonomy programme linked with conservation and secondly to create a new window for exploring different flora under the sea and livelihood options while putting ecological balance as well as biodiversity conservation.
Inaugural function was concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Mahadevakumar S. of BSI. A total of 30 students of M. Sc. Ocean Studies and Marine Biology were registered for this training program.
Sri Vijaya Puram, May 06: The Andaman Nicobar Chess Association (ANCA) will conduct the Under-09 Selection Trials from May 10 to 12, 2025, at the ANCA Chess Centre, Dairy Farm. Trials for girls will be held on May 10, followed by boys’ trials on May 11 while May 12 has been kept as a reserve day for tie-breaks or additional rounds, if required. This selection event aims to select two boys and two girls who will represent the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in the 38th National Under-09 Chess Championship–2025, scheduled in Haryana from June 15 to 21, 2025.
Players born on or after January 1, 2016, are eligible to participate in the selection trials. AICF registration for the year 2025-2026 is mandatory.
Interested players are requested to submit their entries at the ANCA Office, Dairy Farm, between 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM latest by 5.30 PM on 9th May 2025
For Registration and further details please contact @ 95319 43832 or email @ anchessassociation@gmail.com