A U.S. tourist was arrested for illegally landing on North Sentinel Island, home to the uncontacted Sentinelese tribe. Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, 24, attempted to meet the tribe while carrying offerings. Indian law strictly prohibits access to the island to protect the Indigenous people from outside diseases. Authorities are investigating any local assistance he may have received for this attempt.
Indian authorities arrested Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, a 24-year-old U.S. tourist, for illegally landing on North Sentinel Island, a restricted territory in the Andaman Islands. Polyakov’s intention was to meet the Sentinelese, a tribe that remains uncontacted by the modern world and consists of approximately 150 members. To protect this Indigenous group from outside diseases, access to the island is strictly prohibited for all, both Indian citizens and foreign nationals alike.
Upon his arrest, Polyakov was presented to a local court and is currently undergoing a three-day remand for further interrogation, as stated by HGS Dhaliwal, the police chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Reports indicated that Polyakov had been observed blowing a whistle for almost an hour to attract the tribe’s attention before briefly stepping onto the island.
While Polyakov attempted to land on the island for the first time in October 2024 with an inflatable kayak, he was stopped. After another failed attempt in January 2025, he successfully traversed the approximately 35 kilometers of sea in a motorized inflatable boat on his latest venture. He reportedly collected sand samples, left offerings, and filmed parts of his experience before retreating to his boat.
This incident is reminiscent of past tragic events, including the 2018 case of John Allen Chau, an American missionary who was killed by the Sentinelese after illegally visiting the island. Polyakov’s actions have raised concern among Indian authorities, particularly as efforts to maintain the tribe’s isolation continue amidst ongoing scrutiny regarding their safety from outside interaction.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, strategically positioned near key global shipping routes, are significant to India, which is investing over $9 billion to enhance military facilities in the region. Authorities are also investigating any local individuals who may have assisted Polyakov in accessing the restricted area, emphasizing the importance of adhering to protections for the Indigenous tribes, including the Jarawa, who face similar threats from outside contact.
In conclusion, the arrest of Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov serves as a stark reminder of the legal protections in place for Indigenous peoples like the Sentinelese. As India invests in enhancing its military presence in the strategically important Andaman and Nicobar Islands, ongoing efforts to maintain the isolation of these tribes remain vital to their preservation. Authorities continue to enforce strict measures against any attempts to breach the island’s prohibitions, highlighting the challenges of protecting vulnerable cultures in a rapidly globalizing world.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
