Lakshadweep: Residents sit on 12-hour hunger strike

To protest against the recently introduced draft regulations by administrator Praful Khoda Patel, the residents of Lakshadweep sit on a 12-hours long hunger strike.

People protested from their homes, following COVID-19 protocol and holding placards, with slogans like “Revoke LDAR” (Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation) and “Justice for Lakshadweep” and posted pictures in social media to strongly criticize the steps of the Lakshadweep administration.

They also demanded the recall of Lakshadweep collector Asker Ali.

Meanwhile, Panchayat council members from Kavaratti gathered at the panchayat office to register their protest “in a peaceful manner”. However, the police intervened and the protesters were turned away, said a spokesman for the Save Lakshadweep Forum (SLF), which organised the protests.

Residents of Lakhadweep, an archipelago in Arabian Sea comprising 37 tiny islands—including 11 inhabited by humans--- have been protesting against Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation (2021) that proposes to develop the islands as a major tourist destination.

Residents allege new regulation will destroy the islands’ character and identity since 97% of the islands are covered by pristine forests and 95% of its population belong to the protected scheduled tribe category.

They are also protesting against Lakshadweep Animal Preservation Regulation, which proposes to ban the killing of bovine animals and prohibit the consumption, storage, transport or sale of the cattle, meant in island environments. Most of the Lakshadweep residents are Muslims and they feel the regulations target their food habits.