Jarawa video old claims police, government orders probe

New Delhi, Jan 11: The Andaman police have claimed that the Jarawa video, that has been doing the rounds is old and blamed a British journalist for forcing the tribals to dance.

The Home Ministry has ordered a probe into the matter and asked for a status report on the case.

According to SB Deol, Andaman DGP the video released by The Observer is a 10-year-old, made in the year 2002.

"It is obvious that it is the videographer who is breaking the law of the land and who is inciting the tribals to dance," he said a statement.

He further refuted the charges that police allegedly took bribe to make the Jarawa tribals dance for the tourists.

He also claimed that the time when the video was filmed, most of the Jarawas were without their clothes.

"Bribing the cops costs Rs 15,000 to the tourists. Six months back, a police officer was disciplined for doing so," said Gethin Chambarlain, journalist, The Observer.

He however, refused to reveal details on when the video was filmed, but said that the video was not old.

"I've read the report in the newspapers, what I saw in the clips was disgusting. I've asked for a report and will certainly take action on it," said V Kishore Chandra S Deo, Tribal Affairs Minister.

Coming as a shocker to many, The Observer reported that the Jarwas in Andaman were being made to dance by the police in return for food. [Read More: Andaman tribals exploited for food, made to dance naked].

Sources also reveal that the whole operation 'human safari' was being overseen by the police. Such contact with tribals also violate laws that prohibit any close contact with the rare tribals and capturing them through pictures.

In 2002, the Supreme Court ordered that the Andaman Trunk Road be closed down, however in 2004, it recommeded that the road be opened with limited traffic. The issue has remained unresolved till now.

The Jarawas are believed to be the descendants of early humans to move out of Africa and chose to remain isolated in their habitat in the Andaman Islands.

OneIndia News