New surveillance system to protect Jarawa tribe in India's Andaman islands

Kolkata, Nov 28 (PTI) A month after French filmmakers were found to have intruded into the protected Jarawa tribal reserve, the Andaman and Nicobar administration has decided to upgrade surveillance system in the area. Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Lt General (Retd) A K Singh has ordered the formation of a new multi-task force to increase land patrolling of the reserve, officials said today. The 200 km-long coastline would be guarded by a strong three-layered joint operation team. In the outer layer, Navy and Coast Guard officials will be present while the middle layer will be manned by interceptor vessels of the police marine force. The innermost layer which comprises innumerable creeks will be monitored by personnel from police, forest and members of the Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS). "There would be minimum of four boats having six persons each," Andaman and Nicobar's tribal welfare secretary Theva Neethi Dhas told PTI from Port Blair. He said that a multi-task force has also been appointed to increase surveillance on the Jarawa land area spread across 1000 sq km. "There would be four teams with three officials of the health and forest department in each team. Their job would be to visit the area periodically and ensure that no one has ventured inside the Jarawa reserve and report any problem inside," the official said. PTI