Thread by @LetIndBreathe

Why are the indigenous people of Lakshadweep Islands saying #RevokeLDAR ?

The Central govt has introduced the draconian, undemocratic, unconstitutional and inhumane Draft Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation, 2021 (LDAR 2021).

What does it do?

1/n

The draft threatens the existing land ownership and usage in Lakshadweep by giving sweeping, arbitrary, unchecked powers to the government (and all its bodies) to directly interfere with an islander’s right to possess and retain their property.

#RevokeLDAR
#SaveLakshadweep

2/n

It empowers the government to pick any land for “development” activities provided under its regulation.

Once picked, the land can be used as per the government sees fit i.e. with no regards for the owner of the land. It will be land needed for a “public purpose.”

3/n

The “development” includes destructive practices like mining, quarrying, building of National Highways, Railways, Tram-ways, etc.

Impractical plans for islands where the area is less than 5 sq km and based on control and destruction rather than sustainable development.

4/n

If made actionable, it will have devastating impact on the population – 94.5% of whom belong to Scheduled Tribes – and impact the fragile ecosystems

⚠️ Btw in 2017, One of the biodiversity rich islands in Lakshadweep - Parali I island has been eroded to an extent of 100%

5/n

This draft takes India back decades in meaningful lands rights activism for the marginalised through its disenfranchisement.

We request @rashtrapatibhvn @PMOIndia @prafulkpatel to #RevokeLDAR , #SaveLakshadweep
6/6

Not to mention that The present administrator of Lakshadeep, former Gujarat Home Minister, Praful Patel, has not been far from controversies.

Read more about it in this report by @shankerarnimesh

theprint.in/politics/who-i…