American Man Arrested for Trying to Give Coca-Cola to Isolated Tribe
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A 24-year-old American citizen has been arrested in India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands, around 400 miles west of Myanmar in the Andaman Sea, for allegedly breaching strict laws that protect North Sentinel Island, home to one of the world’s last uncontacted and highly isolated indigenous tribes.
Why It Matters
North Sentinel Island is off-limits to all outsiders under Indian law, with the intent of preserving the autonomy and health of the Sentinelese, who are believed to have lived in isolation for thousands of years.
The tribe is known for its hostility toward outsiders and has been largely uncontacted, despite modern technology and global interest.
India enforces strict no-contact policies under the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, and violations are treated as criminal offenses under both national and local laws. The territory lies approximately 1,500 miles east of the Indian mainland.
‘Blowing a Whistle’ to Alert Tribe
The man, identified as Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, was detained by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) on March 31 following his unauthorized visit to the restricted area, according to an initial report by the Press Trust of India (PTI).
Police said Polyakov was trying to bring “offerings for the Sentinelese” that included a coconut and a can of cola.
Polyakov’s actions have drawn criticism and warnings that such intrusions could pose a grave threat to the Sentinelese people, who have no immunity to common infectious diseases.
Polyakov arrived in the islands’ capital Port Blair on March 26 and traveled by a makeshift craft from Kurma Dera beach to the island, which is located about 25 miles away.
According to the MailOnline, he launched his trip around 1 a.m. on March 29, using GPS navigation to reach the northeastern shore of the island by 10 a.m.
He spent about an hour using binoculars and blowing a whistle in hopes of drawing attention from the Sentinelese. When no one emerged, he briefly landed, collected sand samples, and left his offerings behind.
Authorities recovered a GoPro camera containing video of his landing. His boat, outboard motor, and other equipment were seized.
Polyakov remains in custody and is being interrogated by local authorities, who have also notified the U.S. Embassy, India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and the Home Department, according to the PTI.
North Sentinel Island, in India’s southeastern Andaman and Nicobar Islands, on November 14, 2005. North Sentinel Island, in India’s southeastern Andaman and Nicobar Islands, on November 14, 2005. AP Photo/Gautam Singh
Police believe the journey was carefully planned. The Economic Times reported that this was not Polyakov’s first attempt.
He had visited the region at least twice before, in October and January, allegedly attempting to reach the island using an inflatable kayak and later trying to obtain a motor for his boat
Authorities also claim he illegally filmed the Jarawa tribe, another protected group in the archipelago.
In 2018, American missionary John Chau was killed by members of the tribe armed with bows and arrows while attempting to preach Christianity.
What People Are Saying
“We are getting more details about him and his intention to visit the reserved tribal area,” the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ director general of police told the Press Trust of India.
“We are also trying to find where else he went during his stay in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. We are questioning the hotel staff where he was staying in Port Blair.”
Caroline Pearce, director of Survival International, told the MailOnline that Polyakov’s actions “not only endangered his own life, they put the lives of the entire Sentinelese tribe at risk.”
“It’s very well known by now that uncontacted peoples have no immunity to common outside diseases like flu or measles, which could completely wipe them out,” Pearce said.
She added: “The Sentinelese have made their wish to avoid outsiders incredibly clear over the years.”
What’s Next
Polyakov has been charged under the Foreigners Act of 1946 and relevant provisions of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands tribal protection regulations.
Indian police are continuing to investigate his motivations and movements during his stay in the region. Hotel staff in Port Blair are also being questioned.
Indian authorities say they remain committed to preventing any future intrusions on the island.
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