Cracking the case of filming of semi-naked Jarawa tribal women, police on Tuesday arrested constable Silvarious Kindo after interrogating him at length following his identification by the victims.
“The probe reveals that the video was possibly shot in the months of July to November, 2007. The said video, which was broadcast on news channels, has also been sent for forensic examination to ascertain its date of recording and the device used to record the same,” a police spokesperson said.
The police was able to crack the case after a minute inspection of the video in which a police constable in Khaki was seen. Following the lead, police identified all five tribal women seen in the video with the help of Aadim Janjati Vikasd Samiti, sources said.
After recording the statements of the victims, it came to light that that constable in the video is one Claton. The police searched records of all officials who had served with Claton at JPP Jirkatang were scrutinised and 40 officials were shortlisted.
The victims were asked to identify the personnel, who asked them to dance in front of camera, on February 19. The identification parade was done along the Andaman Trunk Road with the help of Aadim Janjati Vikasd Samiti staff.
During the identification parade all the three victims identified Silvarious Kindo as the culprit who allegedly asked them to dance and video recorded them. He has been arrested and put under suspension, they said.
The case relates to a video allegedly shot by some policemen wherein semi-naked women of Jarawa tribe were asked to dance.
The video was first posted on a UK newspaper’s website on February 5, flashed on news channels across the country raising sharp reactions on the alleged exploitation of the vulnerable Jarawa tribals.
The police, which was already probing the case of a similar video, registered fresh case on February 6 in this regard under relevant sections of Indian Penal Code, Information and Technology Act, SC and ST Prevention of atrocities Act and Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Regulation.
“Further investigations are in progress and efforts are still being made to identify the persons in camouflage uniform seen in the first video, which was possibly shot on September 25, 2008,” the spokesperson said.
The incident took place on the 330 kilometre-long Andaman Trunk Road serves a vital communication link of North and Middle Andamans and of its settlements and out of this 56 km of this road passes through the Jarawa Reserve.
