JUDGMENT

ALTAMAS KABIR, J.—

1.Leave granted.

2.The magnitude of the problem created by the Tsunami which hit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 26th December, 2004, and the disaster left in its aftermath, is difficult to imagine and its effects continue to subsist and haunt the islanders even today.

3.The Special Leave Petition filed against the judgment and order passed by the Division Bench of the Circuit Bench of the Calcutta High Court at Port Blair on 16th January, 2006, in Writ Petition No. 205 of 2005 recounts the various problems that were being faced by the Islanders in the wake of the Tsunami and the steps that could be taken to mitigate their sufferings.

4.Since it was not possible to conclude the hearing of the appeal itself, we heard the parties on the question of grant of interim relief till such time as the appeal could be finally heard and disposed of.

5.Appearing in support of the appeal, Mr. Colin Gonsalves urged that on account of the Tsunami which hit the islands, extensive damage had been caused to the shelters and livelihood of the islanders and in particular those inhabiting the Nicobar group of islands. According to him, some of the major problems included sca