U.S. man arrested for entering restricted North Sentinel Island

A 24-year-old U.S. citizen, Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, was recently arrested for illegally entering North Sentinel Island, a highly restricted area in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Legal Violations: Polyakov violated the Foreigners Act of 1946 and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Amendment Regulation, 2012.

The island is strictly off-limits to protect the Sentinelese, who are vulnerable to diseases and hostile to outsiders.

About North Sentinel Island North Sentinel Island is one of the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal, India.

1. Geography: 

 The island spans approximately 60 square kilometers and is surrounded by coral reefs. It is part of the South Andaman administrative district.

2. Sentinelese Tribe: 

 The island is home to the Sentinelese, one of the world's last uncontacted tribes. They are believed to have lived in isolation for over 60,000 years, relying on hunting and gathering.

3. Protection and Restrictions: 

 The Indian government has designated the island as a protected area under the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Regulation, 1956.

Travel to the island and any approach closer than five nautical miles is prohibited to safeguard the tribe from diseases and preserve their way of life.

4. Hostility to Outsiders: 

 The Sentinelese are known for their hostility toward outsiders, often defending their territory with bows and arrows. Notable incidents include the killing of American missionary John Allen Chau in 2018.

5. Legal Framework: 

 Indian authorities respect the Sentinelese's desire for isolation and do not prosecute them for actions taken to defend their territory.