Indian official visit ‘death knell’ for island tribe

An official visit by Indian authorities to North Sentinel Island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago has been deemed the “death knell” for the indigenous tribe that calls the island home.

The Sentinelese tribe has lived in isolation on the remote island for thousands of years, fending off any contact with the outside world. Their hostility towards outsiders is well-known, and Indian law prohibits anyone from going within 5 kilometers of the island to protect the tribe’s way of life.

However, in a controversial move, Indian officials recently made an unauthorized visit to the island in an attempt to establish contact with the tribe. The visit sparked outrage among anthropologists, activists, and human rights groups who fear that it could have catastrophic consequences for the vulnerable tribe.

The Sentinelese have little to no immunity to common diseases like the flu or measles, meaning that any contact with outsiders could result in a devastating health crisis for the entire tribe. Additionally, the tribe’s way of life and culture could be irreparably damaged by outside influences.

Many are calling for the officials responsible for the visit to be held accountable for their reckless actions and for greater protections to be put in place to safeguard the tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.