Vikramaditya
Port Blair, April 02: In a development that raises major concerns about the enforcement of protective regulations, U.S. national Mr. Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov was arrested for illegally entering the restricted North Sentinel Island, home to the isolated Sentinelese tribe. This incident echoes the 2018 case of John Allen Chau, another American who was killed by the tribe after trespassing on their territory.
As per sources, Mr. Polyakov arrived in Port Blair on March 26 and, by the early hours of March 29, launched an inflatable boat from Kurma Dera beach, equipped with a locally assembled outboard motor. He reached the northeastern shore of North Sentinel Island by 10 a.m., carrying offerings of a coconut and a can of cola intended for the Sentinelese people. After attempting to make contact by blowing a whistle and observing the area with binoculars without spotting any inhabitants, he briefly set foot on the island, left the offerings, collected sand samples, and recorded video footage before departing.
This brazen intrusion raises critical questions about the efficacy of current security measures. How was Mr. Polyakov able to transport and assemble a boat and motor without arousing suspicion? What lapses allowed him to approach and land on the heavily protected island undetected? These concerns are especially pertinent given that this is not Mr. Polyakov’s first attempt; previous visits in October and January involved reconnaissance and unauthorized filming of indigenous tribes, actions that had already resulted in an FIR against him.
Mr. Polyakov’s claim of seeking adventure by visiting the island seems dubious, especially considering the known dangers and strict prohibitions. When he knew that Sentinelese Tribes kill all intruders, why he had already purchased a returned ticket from Andaman. The Sentinelese have historically resisted contact with outsiders, and the area is protected under Indian law to preserve their way of life and prevent the introduction of diseases. The ease with which Mr. Polyakov executed his plan underscores potential vulnerabilities in monitoring and enforcement protocols.
It calls for a thorough review of current security measures and stricter enforcement to prevent future breaches that could endanger lives and violate the rights of protected tribes.
