CPI(M) demands statehood for Andaman

Port Blair, Apr 27 (UNI) The CPI (M) leadership today reiterated their demands for statehood and setting up of Assembly for Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

'' Until and unless statehood is accorded to these remote islands, real development is not possible. Bureaucracy can not bring development, CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat and Party's West Bengal unit secretary Biman Basu said here today.

Addressing a public meeting at Tiranga Park this evening Mr Karat said the party had been demanding statehood for these islands as they believed that only public representatives will be accountable to the islanders. The local elected representative will only know and understand the real need of these inhabitants, he added.

Mr Basu has charged the bureaucrats for neglecting on the real need of these islands.

''Bureaucrats get salary even if they don't work. They come for a few years and spent most of their tenure in mainland India. Under these circumstances, development is not possible,'' Mr Basu pointed out.

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