Govt seeks reports from Andaman admin on Jarawa exploitation

The Home Ministry on Wednesday sought a detailed report from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration on alleged exploitation of Jarawa tribals, who were forced to dance before tourists in return for food.

The facts have been sought following media reports which suggested that the women of the primitive tribes were made to dance in front of the tourists, a Home Ministry official said.

The Ministry directed the local administration to find out when the video was photographed, how come the primitive tribals, who live in seclusion, came in contact with outsiders and find out the people responsible for their exploitation.

The Home Ministry may take punitive action against people responsible for the alleged act and if the reports are found to be genuine.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration, which reports to the Union Home Ministry, has already termed the reports as "highly irresponsible" and said it was not clear in which year the video clip was recorded.

Home Minister P Chidambaram will undertake a two-day visit to the group of islands beginning January 21 to take stock of various development programmes being carried out there by the Union Territory administration.

The issue of exploitation of Jarawa tribals is likely to figure in the meetings Chidambaram will have with administration officials and he may give directions to local authorities to stop repeat of such incidents in future and take corrective steps.