GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

RAJYA SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. *105

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19TH DECEMBER, 2018/ AGRAHAYANA 28, 1940 (SAKA)

FOREIGN NATIONAL IN RESTRICTED AREA IN ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS

*105. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that a foreign national had attempted to land in the out of bounds Sentinel Island in the Andamans for the purpose of illegal religious conversion of the native Sentinelese tribe which is an endangered community living in Andaman Island;

(b) if so, what laws had been violated by the person and those that aided and abetted him and what is the status of prosecution of these people; and

(c) what steps Government is taking to ensure enforcement of these areas prohibited to foreigners and to ensure strong action against those who violate rules?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the table of the house.

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STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *105 FOR 19TH DECEMBER 2018 REGARDING ‘FOREIGN NATIONAL IN RESTRICTED AREA IN ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS’

(a) to (c): One U.S. national, Chau John Allen, visited the North Sentinel Island clandestinely with the help of five local fishermen in a mechanized dinghy. An F.I.R. has been lodged (No. 92/2018 dated 20.11.2018) u/s 282, 336, 304 and 120 B Indian Penal Code (I.P.C) read with Sections 7 and 8 of PAT Regulations, 1956 and Sections 14, 14A and 14C of The Foreigners Act, 1946 against seven persons who aided/ abetted the foreign national in reaching the North Sentinel Island. Presently, all the accused persons are in judicial custody.

Regular coastal patrolling by Police Marine Force and also by Coast Guard and Navy is being conducted around the Islands. Fast Interceptor Boats (F.I.B.s) and other mechanized engine dinghies of police conduct patrolling near the creeks and abandoned Islands including the Sentinel Islands under the jurisdiction of South Andaman District and keep vigil on poaching activities to prevent intrusion of anti-social elements into Indian territorial waters. Further, boats without registration numbers are not allowed to operate by the local administration.

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