American Tourist Detained for Entering Isolated Tribal Island in India

A 24-year-old American tourist has been detained in India. The arrest occurred after he entered a remote tribal area where the islanders have no contact with the outside world. Authorities confirmed the incident on Wednesday.

The individual, identified as Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, who has Ukrainian heritage, attempted to make contact with the isolated Sentinelese tribe on North Sentinel Island. This island is part of India’s Andaman Islands. He documented his visit, leaving a can of Coke and a coconut on the shore as a gesture.

The tourist, known for documenting extreme travel on a YouTube channel, previously visited Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. He traveled nine hours in a small boat to reach the island. He used binoculars to survey the area but did not see any inhabitants. He attempted to get their attention by blowing a whistle and briefly landed on the shore. He left the offerings and collected sand samples while recording a video.

He arrived in the capital, Port Blair, on March 27th. He was arrested three days later after locals reported him to the police. They had witnessed him taking a boat towards North Sentinel Island.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a former British penal colony, are located over 1,200km from mainland India. The Indian government strictly controls access to some remote areas, which are home to five indigenous tribes. Some of these tribes are known to be hostile to outsiders.

These tribes include the Sentinelese, Jarwa, Onge, Shompens, and Great Andamanese. They are among the world’s last remaining isolated communities. Both Indians and foreigners are prohibited from traveling within 5km of the island. This is to protect the indigenous people from external diseases and preserve their way of life.

Police were alerted after locals spotted the man near Khuramadera Beach in South Andaman, close to the Jarwa Reserve Forest. Authorities are gathering more information about his intentions and other locations he may have visited. They are also questioning hotel staff where he stayed.

The American tourist briefly landed on the shore, left offerings, collected sand samples, and recorded a video before returning to his boat. Footage from his camera confirmed his entry and landing on the restricted island.

A formal complaint has been filed against him under the Foreigners Act, 1946, and for entering a tribal reserve without permission. He had reportedly visited the islands twice last year. The police have informed the home ministry about his detention, and officials are in contact with the US embassy.

Tribal lands are legally protected under the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956, which prohibits unauthorized entry.

In 2018, an American missionary was killed by the Sentinelese after illegally trying to enter their territory. In 2006, two Indian fishermen were killed by the tribe after drifting to the island. The navy has since enforced a buffer zone around the island.