Patel arrives in Lakshadweep on ‘black day’, 4 islands underneath lockdown on account of Covid surge

By Express News Service
KOCHI: Lakshadweep  administrator Praful Khoda Patel, who courted controversy with a slew of reforms, arrived on the island on a week-long go to on Monday even because the residents noticed a black day in protest in opposition to the reforms. The islanders tied black flags to poles alongside the street from Agatti to Kavaratti and erected billboards with slogans demanding the elimination of the administrator and the rollback of the reforms.

Men and girls sporting black garments held protests of their properties because the island is underneath lockdown. Patel, who refuted the allegations, stated there is no such thing as a protest in Lakshadweep.

“I didn’t see any protest anywhere. Protests are only in Kerala. The draft Land Reforms Act was placed on the public domain seeking suggestions and we got many complaints. We considered them and the draft has been submitted to the Union government for approval,” stated Patel.

He, nevertheless, refused to answer to questions on the meat ban and different points. Meanwhile, the administration prolonged the entire shutdown on 4 islands — Kavaratti, Bitra, Kiltan, and Minicoy — by one week citing excessive prevalence of Covid. Night curfew on Kadmath, Agatti, Amini, Androth, Kalpeni and Chetlath islands will proceed until additional orders.

Lakshadweep residents clang utensils, elevate slogan ‘Go Patel Go’

Fishing and building actions might be permitted through the shutdown with prior permission from the collector or BDOs. Lakshadweep has 576 lively circumstances as on Monday. Kavaratti has 181 circumstances, adopted by Androth (135), Minicoy (105), Bitra (40), Kiltan (34), Kadmath (29) and Agatti (22). Though Kerala MPs Hibi Eden and T N Prathapan waited on the Kochi airport to fulfill the administrator in particular person and hand over a illustration looking for permission to go to the island, Patel modified his journey plan and went to Lakshadweep instantly.

“We had got information that Patel would arrive at the Kochi airport at 9.30am and would be available at the lounge for one hour. We reached the airport to convey our protest in person and to give him a representation to allow a delegation of MPs to visit the island. But he changed his travel plans. We are planning to approach the court seeking a directive to the island in this regard,” stated Hibi.

Lakshadweep district panchayat member Okay I Nizamuddin stated: “As there is a complete shutdown on the island, we held protests at home. At 9pm, the residents switched off the lights and clanged utensils raising the slogan ‘Go Patel Go’.”