Port Blair,A large number of students on Monday gathered at Port Blair and staged a protest against the Andaman and Nicobar administration demanding ships for the Southern Group of Islands, especially Nicobar District.
Following the closure of colleges and hostels following surge in Covid19 cases, the students from different parts of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are presently stranded at Port Blair, many of them facing problems of lodging and boarding.
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and National Student Union of India supported the protest.
Meanwhile, the lone Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Administration to issue directions to the departments concerned to schedule a ship for Nicobar District, especially Campbell Bay so that the stranded students can reach their home safely.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, the MP mentioned that following the closure of various colleges following a surge in Covid19 cases in the archipelago, a large number of students from various Islands, especially Campbell Bay, are stranded at Port Blair and are facing hardship in boarding and lodging.
Many students have exhausted all the money they had and are evn unable to buy commodities for their daily use.
He mentioned that it is practically impossible for many students to pay for private accommodation and daily food.
The MP added that parents of these students from different Islands are also concerned about the safety of their children and they want them to return, fearing the third wave of Covid19.
Later in the afternoon, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of South Andaman met a delegation of protesting students and assured them that ships would be scheduled for the Southern Group of Islands within three days.
While by the evening it was announced that MV Kalighat ship has been scheduled for Little Andaman, no sailing programme for Nicobar District including Great Nicobar Island has been pronounced yet.
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