An American national was recently arrested in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for allegedly entering the prohibited tribal reserve area of the North Sentinel Island. This island is a protected and restricted area known for being home to one of the last uncontacted tribes in the world.
US Man Arrested For Illegally Entering North Sentinel Island, Andaman
According to the Hindustan Times, on March 31, a US man was arrested by the CID for illegally entering Andaman’s North Sentinel Island. The man, identified as Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, allegedly entered the restricted island without any authorisation.
The 24-year-old man arrived in Port Blair on March 26. He then ventured to North Sentinel Island from the Kurma Dera Beach. Reportedly, he launched his boat from Kurma Dera around 1 AM on March 29. He was carrying a coconut and a can of cola, which were supposedly “offerings” for the people of North Sentinel Island.
Mykhailo reached the island’s shore around 10 AM and surveyed the area using binoculars. However, he saw no inhabitants. He, reportedly, stayed there for an hour and even tried to attract attention by blowing a whistle. After recording the island on a GoPro, he collected samples and returned. He reached Kurma Dera Beach by 7 PM and was spotted by local fishermen. Later, he was arrested by the police.
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Why Is This Island Isolated From The Rest Of The World?
North Sentinel island
(u/SailKey836) Managed to capture a quick video of the North sentinel island while travelling to Port Blair.
Date – 09 March 2025 pic.twitter.com/11z8Ain99f
— Curious6T9 (@Curious6T9) March 14, 2025
The Sentinelese or the North Sentinel Islanders, are among the last uncontacted tribes in the world. They live in complete isolation on North Sentinel Island, a part of the Andaman and Nicobar. As per anthropologists, this tribe has lived on the island for thousands of years and has survived as hunter-gatherers. The tribe’s population remains unknown. However, experts estimate it to be between 50 and 200 individuals.
Due to years of isolation, experts believe that the Sentinelese lack immunity to modern diseases. This makes any external contact potentially fatal for their survival. Reportedly, this vulnerability is one of the key reasons the Indian government decided to impose a strict no-contact policy on the island.
Back in 1956, the Indian government recognised the need to protect the North Sentinel Island people from the outside world and declarSentinelese ed the island a tribal reserve. They banned travel within three marine miles of its shores. Furthermore, they have implemented strict measures like armed patrols in the surrounding waters to prevent any intrusion. In fact, photography and direct interaction with the tribe are also strictly prohibited.
Are you also curious about life in Andaman’s North Sentinel Island? Let us know in the comments.
Cover Image Courtesy: X/@VivekSi85847001 & Canva (representative image)
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