Linking RAP with reported killing of American Tourists: Admin Clarifies

Sheekha Bureau
Port Blair, Nov 26: The Andaman and Nicobar Administration today issued clarification on the issue of removal of Restricted Area Permit (RAP) as according to local Administration certain sections of the Media, without verifying the factual position, have attempted to link the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to a recent case of alleged killing of American National by Sentinelese Tribes.
The Andaman and Nicobar Administration clarified that relaxation of RAP does not give access to any new areas into which they were not permitted entry in any case hithertofore.
“All prohibited areas which include Tribal Areas (as also North Sentinel Island) continue to remain off limits as hithertofore. These prohibited areas remain off limits not only to foreigners but to Indian Nationals as well. RAP was an additional document which imposed delays of upto one hour for foreign nationals immediately on landing in A&N Islands. This document was not intended to grant or refuse access into A&N. The sole determinant of entry was and continues to remain possession of a valid Visa,” the Administration mentioned in an official communication today.
The Administration also advised all concerns to check their facts and refrain from irresponsible reporting impacting negatively on Tourism which is a major avenue of employment and income for the Islanders.
John Allen Chau, was reportedly seen killed by the tribals of North Sentinel Island on 17/ 11/ 2018 and 7 accused including those who helped in ferrying Chau to the shore of North Sentinel Island have been arrested by the Andaman & Nicobar police.
Meanwhile, as per Andaman and Nicobar Police till now it has not been decided whether any efforts will be made to retrieve the body of the American National, Mr. John Allen Chau from Sentinel Island, where he seen dead by the fishermen, who carried John Allen Chau.
Meanwhile, the Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has mentioned that Andaman and Nicobar Administration and Chamber of Commerce never suggested removal of RAP for North Sentinel Island.
“There is some misconception on RAP removal from North Sentinel Islands. You know it is highly protected area and nobody can go there. I think there was a type error when RAP was removed for North Sentinel Island. Chamber has already point out and it has to be removed. It is very unfortunate that this incident has happened and now RAP is being questioned,” said Mr. G Bhasker, the past present of ACCI, during whose tenure the process of removal of RAP for various Islands was initiated.