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The Hindu
03-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
A total of 140 people of Nicobari tribe, PVTGs to join Andaman Police
A total of 140 people from Nicobari tribe and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) will join the Andaman and Nicobar Police as part of their gradual integration in Port Blair,' a senior officer said. 'The PVTGs, which include Onge, Great Andamanese, Nicobari, will join as Home Guard Volunteers and their recruitment process was successfully concluded in a fair, transparent and meticulous manner recently,' the officer said. Speaking to PTI, Director General of Police, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal said, "I would like to congratulate all the willing PVTGs and Nicobari tribe who successfully secured their position in our Department. We will provide them with a special training session considering their culture and tradition." He said, "The recruitment process was carried out with a strong emphasis on inclusive representation and participation, especially from women candidates. The final selection also features candidates with academic and technical qualifications in fields such as hotel management, computer applications, and ITI trades. Their commitment will strengthen community-oriented policing in the Islands.' Elaborating further, the DGP said, "A Total of 132 Nicobari candidates, including 41 females, three Great Andamanese, including one female and five Onge, are now part of our police family." The gradual integration is also noticed among other PVTGs such as Shompens and Jarawas (Ang) who live in their respective reserved dense forests where non-tribals are barred. A watershed moment took place on April 19, 2024, when Nauaaw and six other Shompens, including Jetuwai, Thuwaee, and Chemai, voted in the Lok Sabha elections for the first time, marking a significant milestone for their community. Shompens are predominantly uncontacted nomadic hunters, with a population of 244 on Nicobar Island. "In the coming years, we should not be surprised to see Shompens joining the police force. The gradual integration of PVTGs is occurring through tribal policies that encourage developing communication channels and participation based on their willingness," a senior administrative officer said. He added that the Ang (Jarawa) tribe is also adapting to mainstream lifestyles, with initiatives such as the 'AngKatha' educational module documenting their rituals and ethnobotanical knowledge. Similar educational modules are in place for other PVTGs, which will help them differentiate between societal norms," he said. When contacted, one of the selected Onge candidates of Dugong Creek, Tibilachu, said, "I don't have words to express my gratitude to the Andaman police. It was a tough journey for me, but I am happy to clear all the tests." Another Great Andamanese female selected candidate, Kelu from Strait Island, feels that more PVTGs will come forward to join the mainstream and expressed her desire to learn combat skills during her tenure in Andaman police.
News18
03-08-2025
- Politics
- News18
140 people of Nicobari tribe, PVTGs to join Andaman Police
Agency: Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 12:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Port Blair, Aug 3 (PTI) A total of 140 people from Nicobari tribe and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) will join the Andaman and Nicobar Police as part of their gradual integration in Port Blair, a senior officer said The PVTGs, which include Onge, Great Andamanese, Nicobari will join as Home Guard Volunteers and their recruitment process was successfully concluded in a fair, transparent and meticulous manner recently, the officer said. Speaking to PTI, Director General of Police, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal said, 'I would like to congratulate all the willing PVTGs and Nicobari tribe who successfully secured their position in our department. We will provide them with a special training session considering their culture and tradition." He said, 'The recruitment process was carried out with a strong emphasis on inclusive representation and participation, especially from women candidates. The final selection also features candidates with academic and technical qualifications in fields such as hotel management, computer applications, and ITI trades. Their commitment will strengthen community-oriented policing in the Islands." Elaborating further, the DGP said, 'A Total of 132 Nicobari candidates, including 41 females, three Great Andamanese, including one female and five Onge, are now part of our police family." The gradual integration is also noticed among other PVTGs such as Shompens and Jarawas (Ang) who live in their respective reserved dense forests where non-tribals are barred. A watershed moment took place on April 19, 2024, when Nauaaw and six other Shompens, including Jetuwai, Thuwaee, and Chemai, voted in the Lok Sabha elections for the first time, marking a significant milestone for their community. Shompens are predominantly uncontacted nomadic hunters, with a population of 244 on Nicobar Island. 'In the coming years, we should not be surprised to see Shompens joining the police force. The gradual integration of PVTGs is occurring through tribal policies that encourage developing communication channels and participation based on their willingness," a senior administrative officer said. Swipe Left For Next Video View all He added that the Ang (Jarawa) tribe is also adapting to mainstream lifestyles, with initiatives like the 'AngKatha' educational module documenting their rituals and ethnobotanical knowledge." 'Similar educational modules are in place for other PVTGs, which will help them differentiate between societal norms," he said. When contacted, one of the selected Onge candidates of Dugong Creek, Tibilachu, said, 'I don't have words to express my gratitude to the Andaman police. It was a tough journey for me, but I am happy to clear all the tests." Another Great Andamanese female selected candidate, Kelu from Strait Island, feels that more PVTGs will come forward to join the mainstream and expressed her desire to learn combat skills during her tenure in Andaman police. PTI SN SN RG (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Read More
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
ST panel denies info on Great Nicobar project
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has refused to share information on the impact of a proposed mega infrastructure project on Great Nicobar Island, the southernmost part of Indian territory, on primitive tribal groups and the relocation of villages from tiger reserves, citing parliamentary privilege and other legal exemptions. This PTI correspondent filed an RTI application on April 3 this year, requesting minutes of all commission meetings held since January 1, 2022; all communications exchanged with the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs concerning the Great Nicobar Island Development Project and its impact on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) like the Shompens; and correspondence regarding the National Tiger Conservation Authority's (NTCA) directive to relocate villages from core areas of tiger reserves. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) disposed of the RTI application on June 9, more than two months after receiving it, asking the applicant to visit its website ( for copies of all minutes of meetings. The commission, however, has not yet uploaded the minutes of meetings held since April 6, 2021, on its website. In response to queries about the Great Nicobar project and the NTCA directive, the NCST asked the PTI correspondent to "provide the concerned file number dealt with in the NCST for required information". In its July 2 response to a first appeal, the commission said the information sought by the appellant is exempted from disclosure under constitutional provisions and relevant clauses of the RTI Act. In his reply, Y.P. Yadav, Deputy Secretary and First Appellate Authority (FAA), cited Article 338A of the Constitution, under which the commission submits reports to the President and is empowered to investigate complaints relating to the rights of Scheduled Tribes. The RTI reply stated that since the NCST is constitutionally mandated to report to the President and since these reports are tabled in Parliament, there is no obligation to disclose such information to the public under the RTI Act. The commission also invoked several clauses of Section 8 of the RTI Act, which allow public authorities to withhold information in specific cases. These include provisions that exempt disclosure if it would breach "parliamentary privilege", "endanger" someone's life or physical safety, "identify" a source of information or "impede" investigation or prosecution. The order also referred to a Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) clarification based on a 2009 Bombay High Court judgement, which said, "The public information authorities cannot expect to communicate to the citizen the reason why a certain thing was done or not." Tribal rights experts argued that the commission's refusal to share even the minutes of its meetings is at odds with the spirit of transparency and public accountability. "The NCST is a constitutional body created to safeguard tribal interests. If it begins denying access to basic information about its functioning, the entire purpose of having such a body is undermined," said a tribal rights researcher who did not wish to be named. The denial comes at a time when the Great Nicobar Island project has drawn sharp criticism from conservationists, scientists and tribal rights advocates, who fear that it could displace Indigenous communities and irreversibly damage ecologically sensitive zones. The project, titled 'Holistic Development of Great Nicobar', involves the construction of a transshipment port, an international airport, a township and a power plant spanning more than 160 sq km. This includes around 130 sq km of pristine forest inhabited by the Nicobarese, a Scheduled Tribe (ST), and the Shompens, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), whose population is estimated to be between 200 and 300. Similarly, the NTCA's directive for relocation of villages from tiger reserves has sparked controversy, with concerns over the lack of consultation with the affected tribal communities and the alleged violation of the Forest Rights Act. In an interview with PTI in June, NCST member Asha Lakra said tribal communities in Great Nicobar are not opposed to development but lack sufficient information about the proposed mega infrastructure project on the island. Ms. Lakra, who led an NCST team to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from June 5 to 7 to review the issues faced by the tribal communities, said the commission held a detailed meeting with representatives of all tribal groups, including the Great Andamanese, Jarawa, Nicobarese and Shompens. However, Barnabas Manju, Chairman of the Little and Great Nicobar Tribal Council, told PTI that the council was not invited to the meeting and came to know about it through the local media. The council had written to the Union Environment Ministry and the Andaman and Nicobar administration in November 2022, withdrawing a no-objection certificate (NOC) it had issued in August that year for the denotification of 84.1 sq km of tribal reserve and the diversion of 130 sq km of forest for the project. It alleged that crucial information was withheld while seeking the NOC. In April 2023, the NCST issued a notice to the Andaman and Nicobar administration seeking "facts and an action-taken report" on allegations that the mega project would violate the constitutional mandate and "adversely impact" the lives of local tribals. At a media interaction last month, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said his ministry was examining objections raised by tribal communities regarding the proposed project. In an interview with PTI in February last year, NCST's former acting vice chairperson Ananta Nayak said media reports criticising the "strategically crucial" mega construction project were an "international conspiracy". He said national security should be the "primary concern" of any government. Great Nicobar Island is one of the most strategically important areas. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands provide India a commanding geostrategic presence in the Bay of Bengal and access to South and Southeast Asia.
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
ST panel denies info on Great Nicobar project, says disclosure would breach parliamentary privilege
New Delhi, The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has refused to share information on the impact of a proposed mega infrastructure project on Great Nicobar Island, the southernmost part of Indian territory, on primitive tribal groups and the relocation of villages from tiger reserves, citing parliamentary privilege and other legal exemptions. ST panel denies info on Great Nicobar project, says disclosure would breach parliamentary privilege This PTI correspondent filed an RTI application on April 3 this year, requesting minutes of all commission meetings held since January 1, 2022; all communications exchanged with the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs concerning the Great Nicobar Island Development Project and its impact on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups like the Shompens; and correspondence regarding the National Tiger Conservation Authority's directive to relocate villages from core areas of tiger reserves. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes disposed of the RTI application on June 9, more than two months after receiving it, asking the applicant to visit its website for copies of all minutes of meetings. The commission, however, has not yet uploaded the minutes of meetings held since April 6, 2021, on its website. In response to queries about the Great Nicobar project and the NTCA directive, the NCST asked the PTI correspondent to "provide the concerned file number dealt in the NCST for required information". In its July 2 response to a first appeal, the commission said the information sought by the appellant is exempted from disclosure under constitutional provisions and relevant clauses of the RTI Act. In his reply, Y P Yadav, Deputy Secretary and First Appellate Authority , cited Article 338A of the Constitution, under which the commission submits reports to the President and is empowered to investigate complaints relating to the rights of Scheduled Tribes. The RTI reply stated that since the NCST is constitutionally mandated to report to the President and since these reports are tabled in Parliament, there is no obligation to disclose such information to the public under the RTI Act. The commission also invoked several clauses of Section 8 of the RTI Act which allow public authorities to withhold information in specific cases. These include provisions that exempt disclosure if it would breach "parliamentary privilege", "endanger" someone's life or physical safety, "identify" a source of information or "impede" investigation or prosecution. The order also referred to a Department of Personnel and Training clarification based on a 2009 Bombay High Court judgement, which said, "The public information authorities cannot expect to communicate to the citizen the reason why a certain thing was done or not." Tribal rights experts argued that the commission's refusal to share even the minutes of its meetings is at odds with the spirit of transparency and public accountability. "The NCST is a constitutional body created to safeguard tribal interests. If it begins denying access to basic information about its functioning, the entire purpose of having such a body is undermined," said a tribal rights researcher who did not wish to be named. The denial comes at a time when the Great Nicobar Island project has drawn sharp criticism from conservationists, scientists and tribal rights advocates, who fear that it could displace Indigenous communities and irreversibly damage ecologically sensitive zones. The project, titled 'Holistic Development of Great Nicobar', involves the construction of a transshipment port, an international airport, a township and a power plant spanning more than 160 sq km. This includes around 130 sq km of pristine forest inhabited by the Nicobarese, a Scheduled Tribe , and the Shompens, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group , whose population is estimated to be between 200 and 300. Similarly, the NTCA's directive for relocation of villages from tiger reserves has sparked controversy, with concerns over the lack of consultation with the affected tribal communities and the alleged violation of the Forest Rights Act. In an interview with PTI in June, NCST member Asha Lakra said tribal communities in Great Nicobar are not opposed to development but lack sufficient information about the proposed mega infrastructure project on the island. Lakra, who led an NCST team to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from June 5 to 7 to review the issues faced by the tribal communities, said the commission held a detailed meeting with representatives of all tribal groups, including the Great Andamanese, Jarawa, Nicobarese and Shompens. However, Barnabas Manju, Chairman of the Little and Great Nicobar Tribal Council, told PTI that the council was not invited to the meeting and came to know about it through the local media. The council had written to the Union Environment Ministry and the Andaman and Nicobar administration in November 2022, withdrawing a no-objection certificate it had issued in August that year for the denotification of 84.1 sq km of tribal reserve and the diversion of 130 sq km of forest for the project. It alleged that crucial information was withheld while seeking the NOC. In April 2023, the NCST issued a notice to the Andaman and Nicobar administration seeking "facts and an action-taken report" on allegations that the mega project would violate the constitutional mandate and "adversely impact" the lives of local tribals. At a media interaction last month, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said his ministry was examining objections raised by tribal communities regarding the proposed project. In an interview with PTI in February last year, NCST's former acting vice chairperson Ananta Nayak said media reports criticising the "strategically crucial" mega construction project were an "international conspiracy". He said national security should be the "primary concern" of any government. Great Nicobar Island is one of the most strategically important areas. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands provide India a commanding geostrategic presence in the Bay of Bengal and access to South and Southeast Asia. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Print
30-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Tribals in Great Nicobar not against development but lack info about mega project: NCST member
In an interview with PTI, Lakra said she led an NCST team to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from June 5 to 7 to review the issues faced by the tribal communities. The project, titled Holistic Development of Great Nicobar, involves the construction of a transshipment port, an international airport, a township and a power plant over more than 160 sq. km of land. This includes around 130 sq. km of pristine forest inhabited by the Nicobarese, a Scheduled Tribe (ST), and the Shompens, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), whose population is estimated to be between 200 and 300. New Delhi, Jun 30 (PTI) Tribal communities in Great Nicobar are not opposed to development but lack sufficient information about a proposed mega infrastructure project on the island, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) member Asha Lakra has said. She said the commission held a detailed meeting with representatives of all tribal groups, including the Great Andamanese, Jarawa, Nicobarese and Shompens. 'We met everyone…. We also had talks with both Shompen and Nicobarese people living on Great Nicobar Island. Most of the people have no idea about the project. They are busy with their own lives…. They demand more ferries to travel between islands,' Lakra said. Asked about her interaction with the residents of Great Nicobar, she said, 'They have no other problems. All they need is development…. Better transport, education and health facilities. This is what they told us. Everyone, barring the Sentinelese, said the same thing. They are in favour of development.' 'They want employment and their financial situation to improve,' Lakra added. She, however, stressed the need for a stakeholders' meeting with educated people from the island regarding 'such a big project' and said all necessary information should be shared with them. However, Barnabas Manju, chairman of the Little and Great Nicobar Tribal Council, told PTI over the phone that the council was not invited to the meeting and came to know about it through the local media. The council had written to the Union environment ministry and the Andaman and Nicobar administration in November 2022, withdrawing the no-objection certificate (NOC) it issued in August that year for the denotification of 84.1 sq. km of tribal reserve and the diversion of 130 sq. km of forest for the project. It alleged that crucial information was withheld while seeking the NOC. The tribal council had expressed shock on learning that parts of their pre-tsunami villages would be 'denotified and diverted' under the project. During a public hearing held at Campbell Bay in January 2021, the council's chairman had said that although they support the development plan, 'we want to go back to our ancestral villages'. Tribal councils in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are statutory bodies established under the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Tribal Councils) Regulation, 2009. They have limited advisory and executive powers, unlike autonomous councils under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which have legislative, executive and limited judicial powers and enjoy greater autonomy. Around 853 sq. km of the island's total 910-sq. km area is designated as a tribal reserve under the Andaman and Nicobar (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956. In tribal reserves, the tribal communities own the land and have full rights to use it for their daily needs. However, transferring, acquiring or selling land in these areas is strictly prohibited. Asked whether the commission looked into complaints of Forest Rights Act (FRA) violations related to the project, Lakra said, 'The only kind of FRA violations that has been reported involves non-tribal outsiders, who come for construction work, marry ST women and settle on tribal land.' This allows non-tribals to gain de-facto control over land protected under the FRA, she added. In April 2023, the NCST issued a notice to the Andaman and Nicobar administration, seeking 'facts and an action-taken report' on allegations that the mega project would violate the constitutional mandate and 'adversely impact' the lives of local tribals. Lakra said the commission would check whether a response has been received. At a media interaction earlier this month, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said his ministry is examining objections raised by tribal communities regarding the proposed project. 'Yes, it is under examination. I had also answered a question (in this regard) in Parliament. We are currently examining the documents they have submitted. After that, we will decide the course of action,' he had said, replying to a question. On further questioning about what the ministry seeks to ascertain, Oram had said, 'First, we need to determine whether the gram sabha (tribal council in this case) was held, what the gram sabha recommended and whether there have been any violations.' PTI GVS RC This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
