Key takeaways:

• Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, a 24-year-old U.S. citizen, was arrested for illegally visiting North Sentinel Island.
• He attempted to interact with the Sentinelese tribe, known for their strong isolation and hostility towards outsiders.
• The law prohibits any contact to ensure the tribe's protection from diseases and external influences.

Indian police have arrested Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, a 24-year-old American man, for attempting to contact the isolated Sentinelese tribe on North Sentinel Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This incident has drawn significant attention, particularly due to its implications for indigenous rights and the safety of the uncontacted tribe. The Sentinelese, thought to number approximately 150, are among the world's last uncontacted peoples and are fiercely protective of their isolation. Under Indian law, the island is off-limits to all outsiders, and violations are treated as serious offenses.

Polyakov arrived in the region on March 26 and was reported to have reached the island on March 29. According to police records obtained from various sources including BBC and Newsweek, he attempted to attract the tribe's attention by blowing a whistle and left offerings that included a can of Diet Coke and a coconut on the shore.

His actions have been condemned as reckless by various organizations, including Survival International. Executive director Caroline Pearce stated, “This person's actions not only endangered his own life, they put the lives of the entire Sentinelese tribe at risk.” This concern stems from the fact that the Sentinelese have absolutely no immunity to common diseases which could be introduced by outsiders, leading to catastrophic health outcomes for the tribe.

The case is particularly concerning given that it is not an isolated incident. Polyakov had previous attempts to reach the island in October and January of the same year, thwarted by hotel staff on both occasions. This pattern suggests a serious disregard for the safety of both himself and the indigenous people of North Sentinel Island. Historically, interactions with the tribe have often led to violence; for instance, in 2018, American missionary John Allen Chau was killed by the Sentinelese after attempting to make contact.

Authorities are investigating how Polyakov was able to make the journey and are also scrutinizing any local accomplices who may have facilitated his attempt. Indian officials have maintained a strict no-contact policy since 1997 to protect the tribe from external threats, including contagion from diseases and cultural disruptions caused by tourism.

The incident has raised alarms about the growing trend of thrill-seeking tourism, particularly on social media platforms where influencers potentially glamorize contact with isolated tribes for views. Observers warn that such activity poses risks to indigenous cultures and their way of life, highlighting the urgent need for protective measures.

For more on this story, visit CBS News.