24-year-old American Arrested For Entering North Sentinel Island in Andaman
A , Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, has been arrested and placed in judicial custody for 14 days after illegally entering North Sentinel Island, a protected area in the Andaman archipelago. Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal, the Andaman director general of police, described Polyakov as a “thrill seeker,” noting that he had made repeated attempts to reach the isolated Sentinelese tribe living on the island.
In a statement to ANI, DGP Dhaliwal revealed that Polyakov prepared for his illegal venture by gathering information about the island and its residents, as well as securing an inflatable boat and an outboard motor to make the journey possible.
The Sentinelese, an uncontacted tribe, are safeguarded by Indian law from outside interference. Under the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Amendment Regulation of 2012, travel within 5 kilometers of the island is banned. This restriction protects the tribe from diseases carried by outsiders and preserves their intentional isolation.
Approaching the Sentinelese is also risky. In 2018, American missionary John Allen Chau was killed by the tribe during an unauthorized visit, highlighting the dangers of such incursions.
Details of Polyakov’s Entry into North Sentinel Island
On March 29, Polyakov set out for North Sentinel Island in his inflatable boat. After reaching the area, he spent an hour offshore, blowing a whistle to catch the attention of the Sentinelese. He then stepped onto the shore for about five minutes, leaving a coconut and a can of cola as offerings in hopes of drawing the tribe out. During his brief time on the island, he collected sand samples and filmed with a GoPro camera before returning to his boat. By 7 p.m., he was back at Kurma Dera Beach, where local fishermen spotted him.
Two days later, on March 31, the Crime Investigation Department (CID) arrested Polyakov. ANI reported that an FIR was filed against him under the Foreigners Act of 1946 and the 2012 amendment to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation. Following his arrest, authorities confiscated his inflatable boat, outboard motor, GPS equipment, and GoPro camera.
DGP Dhaliwal, quoted by ANI, emphasized the gravity of the situation: “This incident is being treated with utmost seriousness. We are collaborating closely with the Ministry of External Affairs and the US Embassy to prevent any future occurrences of this nature.”