14 cases of ill-treatment of Andaman tribals found

The government on Monday said that Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Administration has reported 14 cases of ill treatment of Jarawas and other native tribes in the islands during last three years and the current year.

This information was given by union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

"Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Administration has reported 14 cases of ill treatment of Jarawas and other native tribes in islands during last three years and current year under the SCs and STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Regulation, 1956, in A&N Islands," said the minister.

The Jarawa tribes have an estimated population of 341, and they inhabit the western coast of South and Middle Andaman islands. They are one of the five tribes of Andaman and Nicobar islands, of which one tribe is the verge of extinction, according to the reports.

To keep the tribal tradition alive, the government in 2004 increased the area of Jarawa reserves to 1,024 sq km. In this notified area, the Jarawa procure their forest based traditional food like wild pig, turtle, honey and fish.

--IANS

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