A 24-year-old US national, Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, has been arrested by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands police for allegedly entering the restricted North Sentinel Island without authorization. He was taken into custody by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on March 31, officials said on Wednesday.
Unauthorized Visit to a Protected Tribal Reserve
Polyakov arrived in Port Blair on March 26 and launched his journey to North Sentinel Island from Kurma Dera beach in the early hours of March 29. He used an inflatable boat equipped with an outboard motor, which he had assembled locally, and navigated using GPS, according to police sources.
At around 10 AM, he reached the northeastern shore of North Sentinel Island. Armed with binoculars, he scanned the area but found no visible signs of the Sentinelese tribe. He reportedly remained offshore for about an hour, blowing a whistle to attract attention, but received no response.
Polyakov briefly landed on the island for about five minutes, leaving behind a coconut and a can of cola as offerings. He also collected sand samples and recorded a video before retreating to his boat. By 1 PM, he began his return journey and reached Kurma Dera Beach by 7 PM, where local fishermen spotted him.
Police Investigation and Prior Attempts
Following his arrest, Andaman and Nicobar Police launched an investigation into Polyakov’s intentions. Director General of Police (DGP) HS Dhaliwal stated that they are looking into his movements within the islands and questioning hotel staff where he stayed in Port Blair.
This was not Polyakov’s first visit to the region. He had traveled to Port Blair in October 2023 and attempted reconnaissance of North Sentinel Island using an inflatable kayak, but was stopped by hotel staff. In January 2024, he revisited the islands, allegedly attempting to procure a motor for his boat. During that visit, he also traveled to Baratang Islands, where he is accused of illegally filming the indigenous Jarawa tribe.
Authorities seized several items from him, including a GoPro camera containing footage of his landing on North Sentinel Island.
Legal Action and International Communication
An FIR has been registered against Polyakov under the Foreigners Act, 1946, and sections of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Amendment Regulation, 2012. The case was filed based on a complaint by Tribal Welfare Officer Pronab Sircar at the Ograbraj police station.
Police have informed the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is expected to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs and the US Embassy regarding his arrest.
North Sentinel Island: A Highly Protected Zone
North Sentinel Island is home to the Sentinelese, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) known for their hostility towards outsiders. The tribe has remained largely uncontacted for centuries, and Indian laws strictly prohibit any approach to the island to protect both the tribe and outsiders from potential harm.
The most infamous case of intrusion occurred in November 2018, when American missionary John Allen Chau was killed by the Sentinelese while attempting to preach Christianity to them. The incident highlighted the risks of unauthorized visits to the island.
Polyakov remains in police custody as investigations continue. Authorities are working to determine his full intentions and whether he acted alone or with external assistance.
Sources By Agencies