British MPs on Tuesday urged India to implement the 2002 Supreme Court order and close the Andaman Trunk Road in order to end “human safaris” in the Andaman Islands.
They signed a motion expressing concern over reports that tourists are taken in coaches to goggle at members of the Jarawa tribe who are treated like attractions in a “human safari park.”
The Observer recently released a video purporting to show that police and army officials were involved in “human safaris” despite official denials.
One clip showed semi-naked girls being “ordered” to dance for a police officer. An off-camera voice tells the girls to “move back a little, a little more.”
The motion, tabled by Liberal Democrat MP Mike Crockart, said: “That this House is concerned that tourists in India's Andaman Islands are treating the recently-contacted Jarawa tribe like an attraction in a human safari park; notes the ongoing media storm in India and worldwide caused by the video of Jarawa women being exploited; further notes that the abuse was carried out on the Andaman Trunk Road which was ordered to be closed by the Supreme Court of India in 2002; expresses concern that the Government of India is yet to act on the Supreme Court's ruling despite the current storm of protest; further notes the overwhelming evidence of harm caused by the continued and illegal use of the road; and calls on the Government of India to provide an alternative route and to take immediate action to close the Andaman Trunk Road in compliance with the law.”
