Easing Restricted Area Permit norms not linked to John Allen Chau’s killing: Home Ministry

Restricted Area Permit mandatory for foreigners, the MHA says.

December 22, 2018 10:44 pm | Updated December 23, 2018 10:30 am IST - Kolkata

Standing guard:   A Sentinelese tribesman aims his bow and arrow at a Coast Guard helicopter, in this file photo.

Standing guard: A Sentinelese tribesman aims his bow and arrow at a Coast Guard helicopter, in this file photo.

Relaxing the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for foreigners visiting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands had “nothing to do with the killing of U.S national John Allen Chau," Ministry of Home Affairs said in a response in Parliament. RAP is mandatory for foreign nationals visiting certain areas, including Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Chau was allegedly killed when he landed on North Sentinel Island in November. According to reports, fishermen who took the U.S. national to the North Sentinel Island saw him being hit by arrows allegedly shot by members of Sentinalese tribes inhabiting the island. After the incident came to light, some activists raised question as to why RAP norms to the island, including North Sentinel Island, were relaxed.

“30 islets in the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Island, including North Sentinel Island were excluded from the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) regime till 31.12.2012 subject to certain conditions. However, separate approvals of the appropriate competent authorities would continue to be required for visiting Reserved Forests, Wildlife sanctuaries and Tribal reserves as is the case at present,” the reply pointed out. It further stated that government can withdraw the relaxation at any time based on security considerations.

On December 18, the Ministry of Home Affairs was responding to questions raised by members of the Parliament P. Venugopal, B. Senguttuvan and P.C. Mohan in the Lok Sabha.

Replying to a question by B. Senguttuvan, the Home Ministry pointed out that the report of Director General of Police of the A&N administration, points out that Mr. Chau had in a spirit of misadventure attempted to land in Sentinel Island to communicate with “aboriginal Sentinalese tribes”, leading to his death at the hands of the tribe. Sentinalese, along with five other tribes residing in the island, are classified as particularly vulnerable tribal groups. There are about 70 such PVTGs in the country.

“The entire North Sentinel Island along with 5 km coastal sea from high water mark is notified as tribal reserve and hence entry by any outsiders, including foreigners, is prohibited under A & N Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation 1956,” the response stated.

Threat to tribals

On the question whether the tribes of Andamans chose to remain in isolation, the Ministry said the tribes are in “different stages of socio-economic condition”.

“The Nicobarese have joined the mainstream and the Sentinalese are still in isolation practising primordial hunting and gathering way of life. The other tribes namely Jarawas, Onges, Andamanese and partly in contact with the outside population but they prefer to remain in their own abode particularly Shompens and the Jarwas,” the answer states.

The Onges and the Great Andamense are in contact with the outside population, the answer further added.

To a question on the impact of letting tourists in, the Home Ministry said that “any interface by the tourists and visitors would infect the tribes with bacteria and (other) viruses which could exterminate the tribes”.

“Therefore, in order to protect them from infection due to bacteria and (other) viruses, Section 8 of the A&N Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956 has suitably been amended by incorporating the following stringent penalties,” the answer stated.

Meanwhile, sources have suggested that A & N administration have given up on looking for the body of the US national. Earlier this month, the representatives of National Commission of Scheduled Tribes ( NCST), held a meeting at Port Blair where representatives of the Commission called for strengthening the protection in the areas inhabited by the tribes.

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