US citizen killed by indigenous tribe on Andaman and Nicobar Islands

An American national, who was on a trip to Andaman and Nicobar islands, was reportedly killed by the Sentinelese tribe, known to avoid any outside contact. The Sentinelese are the native people of North Sentinel Island in the Andaman Islands.

Identified as John Allen Chau by ANI, he was visiting the islands for the sixth time and wanted to meet the Sentinelese in order to preach Christianity.

The Andaman Sheekha newspaper also quoted sources and reported that Chau “visited Andaman and Nicobar Islands five times in past and had a strong desire to meet Sentinelese Tribes for preaching Christianity.”

The newspaper also said that Chau had gone to the island in somewhere in the last five days.

According to ANI, seven fishermen, who facilitated John’ trip to the island have been arrested by the police. The incident of the killing came to light when the body of the deceased was located by local fishermen.

Efforts are being made to recover the 27-year-old’s body. Meanwhile, the fisherman arrested have been booked under Protection of Aboriginal Tribes act and various other sections of IPC.

The Sentinelese people, whose number is estimated to be under 50, are protected under the Indian law. The tribe, which does not use money, cannot be persecuted and any contact with them or entry into the areas they inhabit is illegal.

The law prohibits taking videos of these people and are classified as an “aboriginal tribe”. The videos cannot be uploaded on social media as well.

Meanwhile, a case of murder has been registered against unknown members of the tribe.