American national killed in Andaman wanted to convert tribe into Christianity

The victim has been identified as John Allen Chau, 27. He was killed on Saturday last week, a police officer was quoted as saying by Reuters. Visits to the island are heavily restricted by the government, he added.

Andaman Sheekha, a local newspaper in Andaman island, claimed Sentinelese tribe to be behind the incident. Sentinelese tribe is an endangered community with a population of around 40 (Census of India, 2011) and are known to resist contact with the outside world.

In response to a query from the Indian Express, a US consulate in Chennai spokesperson said, “We are aware of reports concerning a US citizen in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The welfare and safety of US citizens abroad is one of the highest priorities of the US Department of State. When a US citizen is missing, we work closely with local authorities as they carry out their search efforts. Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment.”

A police source told Reuters that Chau, who had made previous visits to the islands, had a strong desire to meet the Sentinelese. He had hired a dinghy and along with a few fishermen, he reached the vicinity of the island on November 16 before transferring to a canoe.

His body was recovered the following day by the fishermen on their return. The body has not been retrieved yet. The fishermen who took him there have been arrested.