44 violations by foreigners in Andamans: Home Ministry ; Government considering re-imposing Restricted Area Permit in the Island
New Delhi/ Port Blair, Nov 28: As many as 44
violations by foreigners have taken place in recent past in restricted areas of
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a senior Home Ministry official said on Wednesday.
The Restricted Area Permit (RAP), which allows people
from visiting certain locations with permission, may be re-imposed in the
Andamans following the recent killing of an American by inhabitants on North
Sentinel Island, a highly reclusive and protected tribe.
The RAP for foreigners and Indians was recently
liberalised by the Centre.
A delegation of the National Commission for Scheduled
Tribes (NCST) will visit Andaman and Nicobar Island, a Union Territory, on
December 4, to assess the situation arising after the killing of American John
Allen Chau by the Sentinelese tribes a couple of weeks ago.
The Home Ministry submitted a report to the NCST on
Wednesday, where it said there were 44 violations by foreigners in the Islands,
other than RAP violations.
The official said the government was considering
re-imposing RAP in the Island. The official said the North Sentinel Island is a
prohibited zone and Chau had gone there illegally.
Though RAP was withdrawn in 29 islands, any tourist is
required to take permission from the Forest Department and the administration
of the Andamans as it is protected under two other Acts - protection of
Aboriginal People and Forest Acts.
Chau had taken the help of a fisherman, a local
electronics engineer and a water sports provider to reach the island on
November 14.
On
the November 17 morning, they saw a dead person being buried at the shore which
from the silhouette of the body, clothing and circumstances appeared to be the
body of Chau, the police said. (The Hindu)
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