Sri Vijaya Puram, July 4: Political tensions in Sri Vijaya Puram have intensified following a clash between two groups, with fresh allegations against Ward No. 6 Municipal Councillor Aziz-ur-Rahman adding a new dimension to an already charged civic and political atmosphere.
According to reports, one of the rival groups involved in the clash included members of the Valmiki community.
Some members of the Valmiki community have alleged that Aziz-ur-Rahman, the elected councillor from Ward No. 6 of the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council, used derogatory language against members of the community in the aftermath of the incident. They have urged the police to examine whether the facts and circumstances of the case warrant action under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
The allegations have not been independently verified by The Wave Andaman, and no competent authority or court has determined their veracity. It was not immediately known whether any complaint under the SC/ST Act had been formally registered at the time of publication.
The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, is a special legislation enacted to prevent atrocities, discrimination and humiliation against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Among its provisions, the Act makes it an offence to intentionally insult or intimidate a member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe with the intent to humiliate them in any place within public view, or to intentionally abuse a person by referring to their caste in public. Whether the provisions of the Act are attracted in any particular case depends on the specific facts and circumstances and is determined by the investigating authorities and, ultimately, the courts.
The controversy arose in the aftermath of the clash between the two groups in Sri Vijaya Puram. While the precise sequence of events leading to the confrontation remains unclear, the incident has rapidly acquired political overtones, drawing reactions from different sections of the local community.
The latest controversy comes against the backdrop of another politically sensitive issue involving Aziz-ur-Rahman—the continuing dispute over free-roaming pigs in several parts of Sri Vijaya Puram.
As previously reported by The Wave Andaman, complaints regarding pigs roaming freely through residential neighbourhoods have increased from several localities, including Delanipur, Goal Ghar, Middle Point, Phoenix Bay, Buniyadabad, Brookshabad, Junglighat and Prem Nagar. Residents have raised concerns over sanitation, public safety and the potential spread of diseases, alleging that the animals frequently enter residential areas, damage property and create unhygienic conditions.
Aziz-ur-Rahman has been among the most vocal public representatives on the issue, repeatedly demanding stricter enforcement by the administration and describing the free-roaming pigs as a serious public health concern. He has also alleged that repeated complaints by residents have not resulted in effective administrative action.
The issue has, however, evolved beyond a civic concern into a political flashpoint. Pig rearers and their supporters have maintained that pig farming has been a traditional source of livelihood for several families for decades and have argued that the matter should be resolved through consultation, appropriate rehabilitation measures and improved infrastructure rather than confrontation.
The dispute has also led to competing allegations of political patronage and selective enforcement by rival groups, reflecting broader political divisions over civic governance and public health issues in the capital.
Public health experts have long warned that free-roaming pigs can pose health risks if not properly managed. They can contaminate public spaces with waste, contribute to unhygienic conditions and, under certain circumstances, play a role in the transmission of zoonotic diseases and parasitic infections. Experts have stressed that scientific waste management, designated pig-rearing facilities and effective municipal enforcement are essential to balancing public health concerns with the livelihoods of those engaged in pig farming.
Observers say the latest allegations involving the Valmiki community are likely to further sharpen political divisions in Sri Vijaya Puram at a time when the administration is already facing increasing pressure to address civic issues ranging from sanitation and public health to law and order.
The Wave Andaman has reached out to Aziz-ur-Rahman seeking his response to the allegations. No response had been received at the time of publication.
The allegations reported above remain unverified. No findings have been made by any court or investigating agency regarding the allegations described in this report. The Wave Andaman will publish Aziz-ur-Rahman’s response in full if received and will update this report if the police or any other competent authority issues an official statement or takes action in the matter.
