Government to take over island in Lakshadweep for 'defence' purposes

Representative image

The Indian government is planning to take over the Bitra Island which is one of the ten inhabited isles in Lakshadweep for 'defence' purposes. Reports said that there are 105 families living on that island and most of them are opposing the move.

The revenue department of Lakshadweep has issued a notification on July 11, to initiate a Social Impact Assessment (SIA). The notification said that the intention is to transfer the whole island to agencies relating to defence and strategy because it is a "strategic location" and is of "national security relevance".

Hamdullah Sayeed, who is a Lakshadweep MP, has said that the move has been aimed at disrupting the peace in the area and that the decision will be opposed by the locals aggressively. Reports said that in a video message, the MP has vowed to fight for and stand up for the Bitra Islanders.

Syeed has reportedly asked Bitra islands natives to not worry or be anxious about the notification. “As your MP, we held a conference that included leaders from Bitra and Lakshadweep and discussed it in detail. We have decided to fight with the people of Bitra, politically and legally,” he said, as per Times of India. Sayeed has also said that the India government has already acquired land required for defence purposes on several islands.