Police seek help in Jarawa case

The Andaman and Nicobar police have approached the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), which deals with cyber intelligence, for tracing the computer from where the controversial footage showing semi-nude Jarawa women dancing before tourists originated.

With the Union Home Ministry to issuing orders to nail the culprits behind the scandal, the police approached the NTRO for tracing the computer from which the clip was uploaded to the internet, to initiate legal action.

Under the Protection of Aboriginal Tribes (PAT) Act, clicking pictures or video shooting of tribals is banned. The police are also trying to identify a travel agent whose telephone conversation with a British journalist has been uploaded.

This was a design of a group with vested interests to stall a road project in the jungles of South Andaman, said Andaman and Nicobar officials.

The Centre has already cleared the Andaman Trunk Road to connect the northern and southern parts of the island.

A stretch of the proposed road is designed to pass through the south Andaman jungles, home to the 383-member Jarawa tribe.

The officials said ample care is being taken to preserve geography of the region. The road was important for the residents of Andaman who suffer from shortage of food and other supplies when the sea turns rough.

Case registered

The Andaman police on January 12 had registered a case against unidentified persons for shooting and uploading the video under the Indian Penal Code, Information and Technology Act, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes and Protection of Aboriginal Tribes. A special team led by the deputy superintendent of police has also been formed to probe into the incident.

The issue had sparked controversy after the London-based newspaper Observer reported the incident and also uploaded a video.

In its preliminary report, the administration said it will initiate prosecution against the videographer for “inciting” the tribal to dance before tourists.

Police had also asked the London-based daily , which claimed in its report that a policeman had taken a bribe to make the tribal  women dance naked, has also been asked to apologise to the local police.

The newspaper, the statement said, was also asked to name the videographer so that legal action could be initiated against him for recording and releasing the video, thereby disparaging the Jarawa tribe.