With coconut & coke, American tried to befriend Sentinelese in Andaman and Nicobar islands

NEW DELHI: The US national arrested for entering the prohibited areas in

Andaman and Nicobar islands

has been remanded in three-days police custody for investigation. The police have seized a 'GoPro' camera from the suspect and its video footage has confirmed his visit to the restricted

North Sentinel Island

. The suspect has been identified as Mykhailo Viktorvych Polyakov (24).
The purpose of his unauthorised movement is not clear. During interrogation, he is learnt to have told police he was a "thrill seeker" and had visited Afghanistan to meet Taliban members in the past.
Police have obtained details of his many visits to the islands. On his first visit, Polyakov arrived in India on Oct 18, 2024 and attempted reconnaissance for North Sentinel Island using an inflatable kayak but was stopped by hotel staff.
During his second visit on Jan 18, Polyakov attempted to procure an outboard motor for his boat. "He visited Baratang islands, illegally videographed the Jarawa tribe, and explored various locations in Port Blair before leaving on Jan 27," a senior officer said.

On his third visit on March 26, Polyakov arrived in Port Blair with an inflatable boat and Suzuki outboard motor. "He assembled the motor at a local workshop, purchased fuel, and checked into a resort on March 27. He conducted research on sea conditions, tides, and accessibility from Kurma Dera Beach, planning his journey meticulously," an FIR states.
On March 29, Polyakov launched his boat from Kurma Dera Beach around 1am, carrying a coconut and Diet Coke cans as offerings for the Sentinelese. "By 10am, he reached the northeastern shore of North Sentinel Island. Using binoculars, he surveyed the area but saw no inhabitants. He landed briefly for about five minutes, left the offerings on the shore, collected sand samples, and recorded a video before returning to his boat," the FIR adds.

Polyakov remained offshore for an hour, blowing a whistle in an attempt to attract attention but received no response. At 1pm, he started his return journey and reached Kurma Dera Beach by 7pm. Police have alerted the US embassy and MEA about the arrest.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration has taken strict measures to protect the Sentinelese, who have a history of defending their isolation by force. In 2018, an American missionary, John Allen Chau, was killed by the tribe after attempting to make contact with the reclusive tribes there.