Andaman islanders hold prayers for tsunami victims

Port Blair, Dec 26: Thousands of islanders of far-flung IndianIslands of Andaman and Nicobar today gathers in churches, memorials andother worship places to remember those who were killed in Boxing Daytsunami two years ago.

Especial prayers were held in all the churches of Car Nicobar, oneof the worst hit islands of the remote archipelago to pray for thosewho were either killed or went missing in cruel waves of tsunami in2004.

About 3,500 people out of the 370,000 residents of the remotearchipelago were killed or went missing when the December 2004 Asiantsunami slammed into scores of islands.

''Since morning we are holding prayers and lighting candles toremember our loved ones,'' said Martin Luther a member of TribalCouncil of Car Nicobar.

In Port Blair, the Capital city of the lush green islands, in theofficial programme Minister of State for Home S Ragupathy placed wreathin the tsunami memorial. Later hundreds of tsunami hit people, localresidents and tsunami orphans participated in the all religion prayers.

The whole Port Blair city came to a standstill when siren wereblown from different corners of the city at 6.30 am to call everybodyto observe two minutes silence for the tsunami victims.

Similar Official programme was also held at Car Nicobar at 8.45 amwhere thousands of Tsunami hit tribal people participated near theIsland's tsunami memorial at Lapathy Village to offer prayers and forlighting of candles.

Similar news from all other remote tsunami ravaged islands has also been received here.

UNI