Question : Sentinelese Tribes


(a) whether the Government has received any information pertaining to the Sentinelese Tribe;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and

(c) the steps being taken by the Government for their protection?

Answer given by the minister

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

(a) Yes Madam, Only one information about the recent incident of November, 2018 involving an American National Mr John Chaw has been received.

(b) Report submitted by the Director General of Police, A&N Administration in this regard is enclosed as Annexure-I.

(C) The entire North Sentinel Island along with 5 km coastal sea from high water mark is notified as tribal reserve and hence entry into which by
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L.S.US.Q.NO.3428 FOR 01.01.2019


any outsiders including foreigners is prohibited under A&N Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956. Entry into the reserved area is being regulated in terms of A&N Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulations, 1956 and subsequent amendments, Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, Restrictions under Foreigner (Restricted Area) orders, 1963, Visa manual conditions/Passport Act, 1920, and Regulations under Indian Forest Act, 1927 and Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The UT Administration respects the way of life of Sentinelese and so has adopted an ‘eyes-on and hands-off’ practice to protect and safeguard the Sentinelese tribe. A protocol of circumnavigation of the North Sentinel Island has been notified. The ships and aircrafts of Coast Guard and boats of Marine Police make sorties around North Sentinel to keep surveillance.

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