Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
American Tourist Endangers Isolated Tribe on North Sentinel Island
An American traveler, identified as a would-be social media influencer, has allegedly jeopardized the world’s most secluded population after reportedly making an unauthorized landing on the restricted North Sentinel Island. The incident, which involved leaving behind a discarded Diet Coke can, has sparked concerns about the safety of the indigenous Sentinelese tribe. Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov’s past associations, including time spent with armed Taliban members in Afghanistan, have further amplified scrutiny.
Unsanctioned Island Visit Leads to Detention
Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, 24, was apprehended by law enforcement earlier this week following his illegal entry onto North Sentinel Island. The island is part of India’s Andaman and Nicobar archipelago and is strictly off-limits to visitors to protect its vulnerable inhabitants.
Official police records obtained exclusively by MailOnline indicate this was not Polyakov’s first attempt. He had previously landed on the island on two occasions, once in October of last year and again in January, prior to this most recent incident.
He reportedly utilized a grey Gemini inflatable boat to reach the island last week. Authorities have since confiscated various items from his hotel room at The Andaman Sunset View, including fuel, binoculars, a Go Pro camera, and a life jacket.
Social Media Presence and Controversial Posts
Polyakov actively documents his exploits on YouTube under the username Neo-Orientalist. This moniker appears to allude to the concept of neo-Orientalism, which critiques stereotypical and often negative Western portrayals of the Islamic world.
Adding to the controversy, Polyakov seemingly foreshadowed his North Sentinel Island expedition five months ago. He posted a cartoon depicting a Tintin-esque adventurer, accompanied by a small dog, sailing towards a deserted island. The caption read: ‘A little Columbus day teaser for the fans.’
Online commentators swiftly drew parallels between this post and his current predicament, following his arrest for trespassing on the prohibited tribal reserve of the reclusive Sentinelese tribe, considered ‘particularly vulnerable’.
One comment described the image as ‘disturbing,’ while another suggested it was ‘premediated evidence for the crime you just got arrested for’ and labeled it ‘Top tier brain activity.’
Afghanistan Trip and Taliban Encounters
Polyakov’s YouTube channel, which has just under 400 subscribers, features videos from a trip to Afghanistan last year. His video series, titled ‘Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan Through American Eyes,’ details this journey.
Footage shows Polyakov being handed a machine gun by Taliban fighters and exploring Soviet-era tanks in the region. This trip occurred despite a Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory issued by the US State Department for Afghanistan.
Polyakov, whose father is Ukrainian, made a brief court appearance in Port Blair on Monday and is scheduled to return to court on Saturday.
Police Report Details Island Incursion
According to the official police report, Polyakov’s arrest stems from an incident on March 28 when he ‘ventured into the sea without informing authorities’ and returned the following day ‘without a satisfactory explanation’, MailOnline can disclose.
‘Review of his Go Pro footage suggested possible entry into the restricted North Sentinel Island,’ the report stated.
The report further notes, ‘His recordings showed him claiming unofficial representation of the US and landing on North Sentinel Island.’
The document details that he landed around 1:00 AM on Saturday, March 29, after departing from Kurma Dera Beach. He reportedly carried ‘a coconut and a Diet Coke as offerings for the Sentinelese.’
He reached the northeastern coast of North Sentinel Island around 10:00 AM, as per the report.
‘Using binoculars, he surveyed the area but observed no inhabitants,’ the document continued. ‘He made a brief landing for approximately five minutes, left the offerings on the shore, gathered sand samples, and recorded a video before returning to his boat.’
‘He remained offshore for an hour, blowing a whistle in an attempt to gain attention but received no response.’
‘At 1:00 PM he commenced his return journey and arrived at Kurma Dera Beach by 7:00 PM, where local fishermen noticed him.’
Prior Attempts and Jarawa Tribe Incident
The report also revealed that Polyakov previously visited Port Blair in October of the prior year, intending to sail to North Sentinel Island using ‘an inflatable kayak’, but was prevented by hotel personnel.
During another visit in January of the current year, Polyakov traveled to the Baratang Islands and ‘illegally videographed the Jarawa tribe‘.
Afghanistan YouTube Series
Last September, Polyakov uploaded a series of six 30-minute videos on YouTube, documenting his visit to Afghanistan, which is under Taliban control.
The footage chronicles his three-week stay, showing him walking through streets, ‘enjoying tea with locals’, and interacting with Taliban members.
One clip captures the moment a Taliban member hands him an assault weapon and places an ammunition belt around his neck. In another segment, Polyakov can be heard saying ‘yes’ while holding the weapon before firing a shot.
He wrote in a description: ‘In this series, I take a three-week road trip across what has become the unrecognized Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan following the chaotic US withdrawal in 2021 and the rapid takeover of the country by the Taliban.’
‘Recognized as a terrorist group by many countries, the Taliban maintain a strict theocratic regime in which music, dancing, women’s education, being clean shaven, using birth control, and even the depiction of faces are forbidden.’
He concludes by encouraging his 398 subscribers: ‘Join me as I navigate one of the most dangerous and unquestionably the most conservative country in the world. Don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe for more!’
Another video shows him getting a haircut for $2. He tells viewers, ‘Just got a fresh cut. Looking extra crispy today.’
‘Great thing it cost only $2 and unlike in America where they flip a tablet and demand 30 per cent above the price which is always great,’ before also mentioning receiving a coat of lipstick.
Additional videos depict him exploring an abandoned US military base, including a sandbagged bunker with bullet holes and shrapnel damage. He questions, ‘how much did we leave behind?’ while filming destroyed military vehicles.
Seemingly unaware of the potential danger he invited, he also posted a video titled ‘Road Rage Afghan Edition,’ in which he describes a ‘traffic dispute ends in gunfire.’
Island Journey and Apprehension Timeline
Polyakov arrived in Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, on March 26. He sailed approximately 25 miles from Kurma Dera Beach to North Sentinel Island via an inflatable boat on March 29.
He used GPS navigation to reach the forbidden island, arriving at its northeastern shores around nine hours after his early morning departure. He then used binoculars to observe the island for any signs of habitation.
Polyakov spent approximately an hour offshore, attempting to attract attention by blowing a whistle from his inflatable boat, but received no response. He then proceeded to land on North Sentinel Island, according to police reports.
He spent about five minutes ashore, collecting sand samples, recording video footage, and leaving a soda can and coconut as ‘offerings for the Sentinelese‘ people.
Law enforcement officials assert that his journey to the prohibited area was meticulously planned. They allege the tourist studied sea conditions, tides, and access points prior to setting sail.
He returned to Kurma Dera Beach around 7:00 PM that day, where local fishermen spotted him and subsequently reported his actions to the authorities.
Investigators are currently attempting to determine other locations Polyakov visited during his stay in the region and are ‘questioning the hotel staff where he was staying in Port Blair’.
‘We are obtaining further details about him and his intention to visit the reserved tribal area,’ the Director General of Police for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands told The Press Trust of India.
The US Embassy, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Home Department have been informed of his arrest.
Island Protection and Sentinelese Vulnerability
Indian authorities strictly prohibit visits to North Sentinel Island as a measure to safeguard the Sentinelese tribe from external threats.
The tribe is classified as a particularly vulnerable group and is known to be hostile towards outsiders, having reportedly attacked nearly everyone who has ventured into their territory.
Caroline Pearce, director of the indigenous rights organization Survival International, described Polyakov’s attempt to access the island as ‘reckless and idiotic’.
‘This individual’s actions endangered not only his own life, but also jeopardized the lives of the entire Sentinelese tribe,’ she stated in a comment provided to MailOnline.
‘It is widely understood that uncontacted peoples possess no immunity to common external diseases like influenza or measles, which could decimate their population.’
Pearce added that the ‘Sentinelese have unequivocally expressed their desire to avoid contact with outsiders over the years,’ citing the 2018 killing of American missionary John Chau by the tribe as an example.
John Chau Incident and Previous Intrusion
John Chau, 26, was fatally struck by arrows upon reaching the shores of North Sentinel Island in November 2018. He had persistently attempted to engage with the Sentinelese to discuss Christianity—an endeavor his friend acknowledged ‘he knew he had no right doing.’
Fishermen who facilitated Chau’s approach reported that the tribe tied a rope around his neck and dragged his body away. His remains are still on the island.
Chau commenced missionary training at All Nations International headquarters in Kansas City in October 2017 before embarking on his mission.
The organization adheres to the belief that spreading the word of God to ‘all nations’ will precipitate the second coming of Jesus and actively works to expedite this objective.
The missionary had previously visited the Andaman Islands, including North Sentinel Island, in 2015 and 2016. His objective was to return to establish a lasting relationship with the local tribes and, if possible, gain acceptance to live among them.
He orchestrated his 2018 visit through a friend who hired seven fishermen for $325 to transport him by boat, also towing his kayak. His first attempt at contact occurred on November 15.
Chau paddled towards the shore in his kayak and instructed the fishermen’s boat to retreat to sea to evade detection.
Undeterred, he returned just hours later, attempting to walk onto the beach to present gifts, including a football and fish, to the tribespeople.
He was again met with hostility and chased back into the ocean before swimming frantically back to the waiting fishermen.
Despite the tribe’s evident anger, he persisted and returned two more times. This final attempt proved fatal.
Call for Increased Protection
Reflecting on Polyakov’s arrest, Pearce reiterated, ‘It’s positive news that the man in this recent incident has been arrested, but deeply concerning that he was seemingly able to access the island in the first place.’
‘Indian authorities are legally obligated to ensure the safety of the Sentinelese from missionaries, social media influencers, individuals fishing illegally in their waters, and anyone else who might attempt to make contact with them.’
MailOnline has reached out to police and the US Embassy in India for comment.
Sentinelese Tribe: The Last Pre-Neolithic People
The Sentinelese, considered the world’s last pre-Neolithic tribe, are historically hostile to outsiders. Their isolation means limited knowledge exists about them, including their self-designation.
Known information is derived from observations from boats positioned at a distance, noting tribesmen carrying spears, bows, and arrows, or from infrequent instances when the tribe allowed authorities close enough to receive coconuts.
The Sentinelese gained international attention after the 2004 Asian tsunami when a tribe member was photographed on a beach firing arrows at a helicopter conducting a welfare check.
North Sentinel Island remains off-limits even to the Indian navy to protect its reclusive population, estimated to be around 150 individuals.
Campaigns by non-profit and local groups have led the Indian government to abandon plans to establish contact with the Sentinelese.
Legal Protections and Tribal Lifestyle
Contact with the tribe is illegal, and the Indian government penalizes photographing or filming aboriginal Andaman tribes with imprisonment up to three years.
Survival International, dedicated to preventing further contact attempts, states that the Sentinelese have thrived on their small, forested island—roughly the size of Manhattan—for up to 55,000 years.
Sentinelese women wear fiber strings around their waists, necks, and heads, while men wear necklaces and headbands, along with thicker waist belts.
From a distance, they appear healthy and prosperous, with observers noting the presence of numerous children and pregnant women at times.
According to Survival International, the Sentinelese hunt and gather in the forest and fish in shallow coastal waters using narrow outrigger canoes propelled and steered with poles.