Port Blair, Jan. 16: Upon the receipt of information of the alleged photography and videography of the members of the Jarawa tribe on the Andaman Trunk Road by some tourists while traveling from Middle Strait to Port Blair, the said tourists onboard a four wheeler – make ‘Tavera’ bearing registration no AN 01 F-6987, were intercepted at Jirkatang Check Post. The handicam – make Sony, which was allegedly used to take photographs and video was inspected and seized for investigation to find out the extent of violation under the law of land.

Upon the inspection of the seized handicam, it was found that the tourists, namely Shri Probir Das, S/o Shri Lakshmikant Das, R/o Hind Motor, Kolkata used his handicam a number of times on ATR with the intention of making video of members of Jarawa tribe despite the loudspeaker announcements made and sign board displaying do’s and don’t at the Middle Strait Check Post asking tourists to refrain from indulging in such activities.

The inspection of the said handicam revealed that a couple of videos of varying length were found recorded. On of the videos featured a couple of members of male Jarawa tribe walking on the Andaman Trunk Road. The tourist was warned not to indulge in such activities in future, however no legal action was initiated against the tourist. The driver of the said vehicle has been challaned under relevant provision of Motor Vehicle Act.

Members of the public and the tourists have been cautioned by the A&N Police to refrain themselves from indulging in such activities which otherwise may make them liable for prosecution under SC & ST (POA), 1989 and / or PAT Regulation, 1956.