The Centre today sought an explanation from the Andaman and Nicobar administration on some officials forcing the half naked tribal women to dance for the entertainment of the tourists visiting the island.

Reacting to the video footage seen on the website of ‘The Guardian’ in which a police officer was asking half naked Jarawa tribal women to dance to entertain the tourists, Tribal Affairs Minister K.P. Singh Deo told a national news channel that the practice was disgusting and obnoxious.

“It is really disgraceful to know such things are happening on the island,” he told the channel interviewer in response to a question, adding these things can’t be pardoned and the persons responsible for that would be given appropriate punishment. “We have sought an explanation from the administration,” he said.

Law and Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid also said strict action would be taken against officials forcing the tribal women to dance for the sake of tourists on the island.

‘The Guardian’ web site said that tourist companies have been running safaris in the tribal areas of the island these days and through the help of the police officials are forcing the half naked tribal women to dance for the sake of tourists. (JUBS)