Chidambaram to visit Andaman Nicobar Islands

New Delhi, Jan 11: Home Minister P Chidambaram will undertake a two-day visit to Andaman and Nicobar Islands beginning January 21 to take stock of various development programmes being carried out there by the Union Territory administration.

The visit comes amidst reports of alleged exploitation of primitive tribals, who were forced to dance before tourists in return of food. During the pre-scheduled visit, Chidambaram will review various development projects, including health, sanitation, drinking water and road, being implemented in the group of islands by the Union Territory administration which reports to the Union Home Ministry, official sources said.

The issue of exploitation of Jarawa tribals is likely to figure in the meetings to be taken by Chidambaram and he may give directions to the local authorities to stop repeat of such incidents in future and take corrective steps.

He is also expected to take stock of the coastal security scheme being implemented by the Home Ministry as part of its initiative taken to secure the country's coastline. The Home Minister is also likely to visit a few tsunami (2004) affected areas in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands where the reconstruction works were carried out by his Ministry among others.

PTI