People Misguided By Certain Organisations, Not Quelling Democratic Protests: Lakshadweep Administration

Facing a major transportation crisis, people of the island marched on Thursday demanding the resumption of shipping services.

New Delhi: The Praful Khodabhai Patel-led administration in Lakshadweep on Thursday refuted allegations that it has been quelling democratic protests by using the police, saying that only those violating prohibitory orders were arrested in order to maintain peace and tranquillity there.

In a release, the UT’s administration refuted the media reports saying that certain elements were attributing motives to police action in Lakshadweep to create resentment among the people by giving false and fabricated information to print and electronic media.

“Lakshadweep administration has been taking steps for the all-round development of islands by initiating various schemes, policies, projects etc. Local people have been supporting the administration wholeheartedly for the developmental efforts”, the release stated, according to news agency PTI. 

"However, with the aim to malign the image of administration, create resentment and spread rumours among the residents of Lakshadweep, certain elements have been using social media platforms, print and electronic media and infusing false and fabricated information," the statement added.

The administration further said that in order to maintain peace and tranquillity some people have been booked as per provisions of law for violating prohibitory orders, like section 144 of Cr.PC or COVID lockdown, etc. 

"Protests which violate the law with an aim to create a fear psychosis against the government machinery so as to wean away the genuine support of people to the welfare measures of Lakshadweep administration have to be dealt with by the police to uphold the law. Persons are booked only to prevent the commission of cognisable offences by ill-advised and motivated protests. Had such arrests not been effected, protesters would have disturbed peace, tranquillity and normalcy in the islands," the administration claimed in the release, as quoted by PTI.

Transportation Matter Led To Protests

The protest erupted due to a transportation issue as the administration cut down the number of ships running between the mainland and the island. According to The Indian Express, the number has gone down from seven to two. Lakshadweep is an archipelago of 36 islands, 10 of which are inhabited. The island, which has an approximate population of 65,000 people, travels to the mainland, mostly Kerala, for study and work. It also depends on the mainland for essentials requiring frequent travelling. 

On Thursday, protesters marched to the Secretariat in Kavaratti, demanding the resumption of ship services connecting the islands to Kochi, The Indian Express reported. 

The report stated that the former Gujarat minister rejected the charges and said that people were misguided by certain organisations. He called the march a political stunt.

“Similar to the high rush of passengers in trains during peak seasons, the vacation season is to blame for the increased demand for services and the associated difficulties”, he was quoted as saying in the report.