Government considering reimposing Restricted Area Permit in the island

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 reimposed 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 Andamans 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.

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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 reimposing 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Though RAP was withdrawn in 29 islands, any tourist is required to take permission from the Forest Department and the administration of the Andamans as it is protected under two other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.

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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 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.