Port Blair: In separate incidents, 15
people have been arrested under provisions of the Protection
of Aboriginal Tribes (PAT) Regulation, 1956 for intruding into
Jarawa areas in the Andaman and Nicobar islands.
While six persons, all residents of Junglighat, were
arrested from a fishing trawler near Bamboonallah, three
mechanised fishing boats were intercepted at Hiren Tikery,
Badabaalu and Havabill island and nine persons arrested, the
police said today.
The fishing trawler and the boats were also seized.
The operation was conducted by Ograbraj police station
under the supervision of deputy superintendent of police Vinit
Kumar since January 10, the police said.
During the intensive search of the long coast line area
from Herbertabad to Hiren Tikri covering Jhaukona, Bada Balu,
Lamba Balu, Bamboo Nallah and Hawa Bill Island, a commercial
fishing trawler was sighted along the shore near Bamboo
Nallah. After a long chase, the trawler was intercepted and
the six persons were arrested.
During further search, three mechanized fishing boats
and one non-mechanized oar boat were intercepted at three
places and nine persons arrested.
Meanwhile, the general public and fishermen have been
cautioned not to venture into the Jarawa Reserve Forest Area
which stretches up to 5 km on sea from the High Tide Line of
Western Coast of Middle Andaman Area as it is a punishable
offence under PAT Regulation.
According to reports, there are just 403 surviving
members of the Jarawa tribe who live in reserve forests on
South Andamans.
The police said the arrests were not related to the
video-clip controversy involving Jarawa women that erupted
yesterday.
PTI
