Over a hundred and forty indigenous residents of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands enlist as Home Guards in local law enforcement.
In a significant stride towards cultural sensitivity and inclusivity, the Andaman and Nicobar Police has recently welcomed 140 individuals from indigenous communities as Home Guard Volunteers. Among the new recruits are members from Nicobari tribes, Great Andamanese, and Onge Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
The recruitment drive, which prioritized inclusive representation, has seen the addition of 132 Nicobari candidates (41 women), 3 Great Andamanese (including one female), and 5 Onge members. Candidates were chosen based on their academic or technical qualifications, with skills ranging from hotel management to computer applications and ITI trades. This approach is designed to strengthen community-oriented policing in the islands.
The new recruits expressed pride and hope that more tribal youth will join mainstream services. Kelu, a Great Andamanese woman, expressed her interest in learning combat skills and her hope that more PVTG members will join the mainstream. Tibilachu, an Onge candidate, described the recruitment process as a tough but rewarding journey.
Future plans focus on maintaining this inclusive approach, offering culturally sensitive training to ensure smooth integration, and continuing recruitment to represent diverse tribal populations more comprehensively. This move is part of a broader push for voluntary integration of tribes like the Shompens and Jarawas.
However, the Shompens' involvement in these recent recruitment efforts is not explicitly mentioned, suggesting their inclusion might either be planned for a later phase or currently less emphasized in official communications. Continued efforts may address their inclusion in future expansions of tribal representation within the police force.
Meanwhile, cultural education initiatives like the 'AngKatha' module are being developed for the Jarawa (Ang) tribe and other PVTGs, aiding cultural adaptation. The Shompens voted in the Lok Sabha elections for the first time on April 19, 2024, with a current population of 244 on Great Nicobar Island.
Policies are focused on gradual inclusion of tribes through dialogue and voluntary engagement. The recruitment process was conducted transparently and emphasized female participation. Officials believe the integration process of tribes like the Shompens will continue in the coming years, ensuring a more diverse and representative police force in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- To ensure a well-rounded lifestyle for the new recruits, it would be beneficial to incorporate educational programmes on subjects like health, sports, and home-and-garden, in addition to their existing education-and-self-development training.
- In order to encourage other tribal communities to participate in mainstream services, it is essential to uphold the philosophy of inclusivity in various aspects of life, including sports and cultural activities.
- As part of the lifestyle transformation, it would be advantageous for the recruits to learn skills related to home-and-garden management, which could help them to maintain their homes sustainably and contribute to their community's overall well-being.
