44 Violations Have Happened In Restricted Areas Of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Says Union Home Ministry

In a report submitted to the National Commission of Scheduled Tribes (NCST), the Home Ministry has said that 44 violations by foreigners have happened in the restricted areas of Andaman and Nicobar in the past, The Hindu has reported. This figure does not include Restricted Area Permit (RAP) violations.

Restricted Area Permits are required for visiting certain areas of India. RAP norms had been recently liberalised by the Indian government. In spite of the liberalised RAP norms in 29 islands, tourists are required to take permission from the Forest Department and the administration of the Andamans as the islands are protected under the Protection of Aboriginal People Act and Forest Act.

The RAP rules may be reimposed in Andamans in the wake of John Allen Chau’s death. A Home Ministry official, who spoke to The Hindu, said that the North Sentinel Island was a prohibited area and the American missionary had gone there illegally. John Allen Chau was killed on 17 November by an arrow shot at him by one of the Sentinelese.

Also Read : The Bible Couldn’t Save Chau From The Sentinelese: Media Myth-Making And Mindless Evangelism