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The existing Naval Detachment Minicoy, currently under the operational command of the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Lakshadweep), is set to be commissioned as INS Jatayu.
While a naval detachment typically includes administrative, logistics, and medical support, INS Jatayu will be developed into a full-fledged naval base. This upgrade will include additional infrastructure such as an airfield, residential facilities, and expanded personnel capacity, pending necessary environmental and other regulatory clearances.
The central government has decided to take over one of the Lakshadweep inhabited islands, Bitra, to use for defence-related activities. Currently, Bitra has a residency of 105 families, and many of them have opposed the reported takeover.
However, the archipelago's revenue department has issued a notification for a social impact assessment (SIA) for the Bitra island. The notice stated that the purpose of the assessment is to transfer the entire island to defence and strategic agencies owing to its “strategic location” and “national security relevance”.
It added that an SIA is required under the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. It identified the Department of Revenue as the project developer and noted that the process would involve consultations with all stakeholders in the proposed area, including the gram sabha.
Local MP opposes move
The move to turn Bitra into a defence base has not been welcomed by the locals, including the Lakshadweep MP Hamdullah Syeed, who has assured residents not to worry about the notification.
"As your MP, we held a conference that included leaders from Bitra and Lakshadweep and discussed it in detail. We have decided to fight with the people of Bitra, politically and legally,” he said.
He added that the government has already acquired lands for defence purposes on several islands.
Naval base in Lakshadweep
Last year, the Ministry of Defence announced the commissioning of a new naval base, INS Jatayu, in Lakshadweep's Minicoy island.
