In New Delhi, an American YouTuber named Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, aged 24, remains in custody following his unauthorized visit to a remote island in the Indian Ocean. Polyakov attempted to interact with the Sentinelese, an isolated tribe in the region. His next court appearance in Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is scheduled for April 29.
Polyakov, hailing from Scottsdale, Arizona, was apprehended on March 31, two days after stepping onto North Sentinel Island, a restricted area. He intended to connect with the indigenous Sentinelese tribe and left behind a can of Diet Coke and a coconut as parting offerings when he could not establish contact. Despite shooting a video and collecting sand samples from the island, Polyakov returned to his boat without meeting any tribe members.
A senior police official, choosing to remain anonymous due to the ongoing investigation, indicated that Polyakov’s actions breached Indian laws. The encounter poses a potential threat to the tribe’s existence as external interaction can compromise their survival. The laws in question could lead to penalties reaching up to five years in prison alongside financial fines.
Travelers are prohibited from approaching closer than 3 miles (5 kilometers) to North Sentinel Island. The Sentinelese tribe, having lived in isolation for millennia, are known to defend themselves aggressively. They rely on primitive weapons like spears and bows for hunting and are hostile towards outsiders landing on their shores.
Historically, the tribe has resisted outside contact, notably in 2018 and 2006, when they killed intruders venturing onto their land, including an American missionary and two fishermen who ended up on the island due to navigational errors.
Representatives from the U.S. consulate checked on Polyakov in custody, affirming their dedication to aiding American citizens internationally. However, privacy constraints limited the disclosure of further details.
Investigations revealed that before embarking on his journey, Polyakov conducted thorough research on navigating the sea, tidal conditions, and accessing the island. He spent approximately an hour on the island in an attempt to grab the islanders’ attention using a whistle, but received no response.
Upon leaving North Sentinel Island, he was seen by local fishermen who promptly reported his presence, leading to his eventual arrest in Port Blair, situated about 750 miles (1,207 kilometers) from mainland India.