Tourists death on beaches leaves Andaman high and dry

Port Blair, Oct 14 (UNI) Death of two tourists recently on seperate beaches in Andaman and Nicobar have created ripple in the Union Territory.

The recent deaths have raised serious questions over Tourism department's safety measures.

According to police R Vikram, a youth from Krishna Giri in Tamil Nadu drowned at world famous Randhanagar beach in Havelock on October 9, while another tourist, one Murthy from Karnataka, 62 years, died at Elephant beach of the same island.

Earlier in 2006, Director General of Mines Bhaskar Bhattacharya and his son Sidharth Bhattacharya had drowned at Radhanagar Beach, shocking the nation.

After the duos death, the local administration had promised to place life guards which are yet to be fulfilled, Mr M Vinod,president of Andaman Tour Operator's (ATO) Association today said.

Tour operators in Andaman are now demanding more safety measures for the visiting tourists like posting full fledge and well trained life guards on busy beaches together with medical team.

Meanwhile District Administration, however, clarified that during these incidents life-guards were present at Radhanagar beach but as number of people in danger were more than the number of life guards the accident took place.

'' Life guards are deployed on important beaches and there is no need to worry, clarified Mr S N Jha the District Commissioner of South Andaman.

Vikram was the third tourist to drown at Radhanagar beach, which was rated as one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world by TIMES magazine.

UNI SKR RH AKJ VC1922