Punishment for exploitation of Tribals in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956 (PAT), amended vide “the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Amendment Regulation, 2012 and notified in the Gazette of India on 2-7-2012 and further notified in the Andaman & Nicobar Gazette was brought into force w.e.f. 9.7.2012, making provisions for stringent punishment including imprisonment for exploitation of tribal communities in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Under Section 8 of the principal Regulation, stringent penal provisions has been included for violations:- (i) 3 years imprisonment and fine in the event of taking photograph/videos of aboriginal tribes; encroaching, hunting and poaching in reserve area; promoting tourism through advertisement on aboriginal tribes; setting up of commercial/tourist establishment in the Buffer Zone. (ii) 7 years imprisonment and fine in the event of introducing of any form of Alcohol/intoxication & any inflammable or explosive substances to aboriginal tribes.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Smt. Ranee Narah in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
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Samir/DB