FIR against French filmmakers for trespassing into Jarawa reserve

They were making a documentary ‘Organic Jarawa’

File photo of vehicles moving into a territory belonging to the Jarawa tribe in the Andaman islands. Law bans making any contact with Jarawa tribes, including shooting photos or videos. Photo: R. Ravindran

Two French filmmakers have been booked on the charge of trespassing into the protected Jarawa tribal reserve in the Andaman islands and filming a documentary on the threatened aboriginal tribe.

“We have filed an FIR against French director Alexandre Dereims and producer Claire Beilvert for violating the law of the land. Entering the Jarawa area is banned and so are making any contact with them or shooting any photo or video,” the union territory’s Tribal Welfare Secretary Theva Neethi Dhas told PTI on Friday.

“The police are investigating the matter and gathering evidences against them. If the charges are proved, it could lead to three years of imprisonment, besides a fine,” the Secretary said.

He said two local inhabitants have been arrested for allegedly helping the filmmakers to enter the Jarawa area.

The case was registered on October 19 while the incident is said to have happened during March-April.

The matter came to light only when the Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS) reported the matter to the administration.

Mr. Dhas said they had already sent notices to the filmmakers, who have returned to their homeland, asking them to restrain from releasing any visual related to the Jarawas.

The administration will also ask the Ministry of External Affairs to take up the matter with the French government, he said.

Charges against the two French filmakers include violation of Protection of the Aboriginal Tribes (Amendment) Act 2012, Foreigners Amendment Act 2004, and Information Technology Act.

Under post-production stage now, the film ‘Organic Jarawa’ is about Utchu, a two-year-old Jarawa boy, his family and friends.