Row over anomalies in entry permits to Dweep

KOCHI: The suspicious death of a Singapore tourist near Agatti island in Lakshadweep on Tuesday has kicked up a row over irregularities in granting entry permits for visiting the Lakshadweep islands.Also the issue has raised major concerns about the safety of foreigners along with possible security threats surrounding the islands.According to sources, Yong Kian Fei, a 33-year-old Singapore national (passport no E 15881657 AJ 33) went to the Agatti island from Kochi on October 15 along with another foreigner called How eekiat.They were issued entry permit for the period from October 15 to October 22 by the Lakshadweep administration.The permit was given through the Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports (SPORTS) under the Lakshadweep Administration. They were staying at a homestay in the Agatti island. On Tuesday, four of them, including two locals, went for fishing.The incident occurred near the Bengaram island, when they were caught in the waves surrounding the coral reefs near the  Bengaram island. Yong Kian Fei died in the incident while How eekiat was seriously injured. The body of Yong Kian Fei was brought to Kochi on Wednesday and after postmortem  examiantion was sent back to Singapore.The incident has once again brought forth the allegations about irregularities in sanctioning entry permits to the Lakshadweep islands, pointed out locals.“Without adequate facilities at Agatti and Bengaram islands, how can they (Sports) take tourists there? Being an agency operating under the Lakshadweep administrator, they should not do carry out such activities. Earlier, there were reports on security concerns surrounding the islands. Tha’s why the government made entry permits to the islands limited,” pointed out a local entrepreneur.However, the lakshadweep administration officials said entry permits are issued as per norms only. “The entry permit to the Singapore national was issued by the  administration only,” said Pradeep, secretary to the administrator, Lakshadweep administration.He added that  Sports is an authorised agency operating under the administration and the administration used to issue permits to foreigners coming through Sports for staying at the island beach tourism resort run by the society.