Lok Sabha Question No. 1158 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-18
Subject: Restriction on Sentinel Island
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: BALASUBRAMANIAM SENGUTTUVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1158

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 th  DECEMBER, 2018 / AGRAHAYANA 27, 1940 (SAKA)

RESTRICTION ON SENTINEL ISLAND

1158.     SHRI B. SENGUTTUVAN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Sentinel Island inhabited by a hostile tribe, is off-limits for all persons including foreigners and tourists and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the tribes of the Island choose to remain and live in isolation for centuries and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether by allowing visit of tourists, the visitors can infect the tribes with  bacteria  and  other  viruses  which  may  exterminate  their  existence and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether of late, a US national in a spirit of misadventure attempted to land  in  Sentinel  Island  in  Andaman  and  Nicobar  Islands  to  communicate with  the  aboriginal  Sentinelese  tribes  leading  to  his  being  killed  by  the hostile tribe and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a):    Yes Madam. The entire North Sentinel Island along with 5 km costal sea from high water mark is notified as tribal reserve and hence entry into which  by  any  outsiders  including  foreigners  is  prohibited  under  A&N Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956.

- (b): Yes Madam.  There are six Scheduled Tribes i.e., the Andamanese,

## L.S.US.Q NO. 1158 FOR 18.12.2018

Onges,  Jarawas,  Sentinelese,  Nicobarese  and  Shompens  notified  under Article 342 (1) of the Indian Constitution. Except Nicobarese, rest of the 05 tribes are categorized into Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

The  tribes  of  A&N  Islands  are  in  different  stages  of  socio-economic condition, the Nicobarese have joined the mainstream and the Sentinlese are still in isolation practicing primordial hunting and gathering way of life. The other tribes namely Jarawas, Onges, Andamanese and Shompens are partly in contact with the outside population but they prefer to remain in their own abode particularly Shompens and the Jarawas. The Onges and Great  Andamanese  are  in  contact  with  the  outside  population  and  the Union  Territory  Administration  of  Andaman  &  Nicobar  Islands  is  also supporting these tribes with medical care, education, food, security etc so as to sustain their living.

(c): Yes  Madam.    Any  interface  with  the  tribals  by  the  tourists  and visitors  would  infect  the  tribes  with  bacteria  and  other  viruses  which would  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  been  suitably amended by incorporating the following stringent penalties:

## L.S.US.Q NO. 1158 FOR 18.12.2018

Section 8 (6):   Whoever enters, in contravention of the notification issued under section 7 into the reserved area for the purpose of introducing any form of alcohol or any highly inflammable or explosive substance or any form of biological germ, bacteria or virus to any member of the aboriginal tribe, he shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to seven years and with fine which may extend to ten thousands rupees.

(d): Yes Madam. Report submitted by the Director General of Police, A&N Administration on the alleged killing of US National also indicate the same.

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