Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray on Monday met the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), senior Forest Department officials, and representatives from Cutbert Bay and surrounding forest-dependent areas of Middle Andaman to address the ongoing issue of resettlement for families identified as post-1978 forest encroachers. The discussions were held in Sri Vijaya Puram, with residents urging clarity on the government’s proposed course of action.
During the meeting, Forest Department officials informed the MP that the Andaman & Nicobar Administration has already submitted an Interlocutory Application (IA) to the Supreme Court. The IA outlines the Administration’s proposed framework for relocating families classified under the post-1978 encroachment category. The matter is currently awaiting consideration by the Apex Court, and no final directions have yet been issued.
Bishnu Pada Ray stressed that the proposal pending before the Supreme Court must be made accessible to the public before any final decision is implemented. He requested the Administration to provide him with a copy of the IA and the detailed resettlement proposal. According to him, enabling transparency will ensure that residents understand the contents of the plan and are given a chance to convey their views and objections.
The MP said it is essential for affected families to be informed and involved, noting that community perspectives could help refine the proposal. He stated that any feedback or suggested changes gathered through public consultation should be incorporated into a revised version of the plan, which can then be submitted to the Supreme Court in a timely and appropriate manner.
Reaffirming his stand, Bishnu Pada Ray told residents that he remains committed to ensuring fairness and due process. He said no eligible family should feel excluded from the discussion and that any resettlement policy must balance judicial directives with the realities faced by people living in forested regions of Middle Andaman.
He assured the delegation present that he will continue to follow the matter closely and work as a bridge between residents and the Administration. The MP added that collaborative engagement is necessary to achieve a resolution that is both legally sound and socially just for the families awaiting clarity on their future.
