Andaman Nicobar grabbed the headlines with entry of an American citizen in the restricted Northern Sentinel islands and murder of a journalist.
Indian authorities have arrested a 24-year-old U.S. citizen for unlawfully entering the restricted North Sentinel Island in an attempt to contact one of the world’s most isolated and hostile tribes.
Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov had meticulously planned his journey, and officials are now investigating his motives and any other locations he may have visited during his stay in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
A similar attempt in 2018 led to the death of American missionary John Chau, who was killed by the Sentinelese tribe.
In Mykhailo’s case his entire trip was meticulously planned, with him allegedly conducting research on the sea conditions, tides and accessibility from the southern beach to reach the island, police said.
Officials maintain that this was not Polyakov’s first journey to reach the isolated tribes who live across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Back in January, the 24-year-old illegally filmed the remote Jarawa tribe while visiting the Baratang Islands, police said.
In a separate incident, the body of Shahdeb Dey, owner of the local news channel Republic Andaman, was discovered in a field in Deshbandu Nagar, Diglipur, on Tuesday, according to police.
Superintendent of Police for North and Middle Andaman, Shweta K Sugathan, confirmed it as a murder case, stating that four individuals, including a woman, have been taken into custody. “The exact motive is still under investigation, but initial findings suggest personal enmity involving the woman,” she said.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Gangaiyya, who operates a bar and restaurant in Diglipur, along with his two employees, Rama Subramanian and Ramesh, as well as a local woman, Bitika.
Shahdeb had been outspoken against illegal activities, including soil excavation, timber smuggling, illicit liquor trade, and gambling.