The family of the American missionary, John Allen Chau, who was reportedly killed in mid-November by unidentified individuals from the Sentinelese community on North Sentinel Island, located in India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands, have said they forgive his attackers.
According to local sources, Chau had travelled to North Sentinel Island with the help of local fishermen in an attempt to interact with members of the Sentinelese tribe. Chau reportedly hired a fishing dinghy from the Chidiyatapu area and travelled to North Sentinel Island. Chau had reportedly visited the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on five previous occasions and had expressed a strong desire to meet with the Sentinelese tribes to preach Christianity.
Spotted by fishermen
Sources claim that Chau was killed by hostile members of the Sentinelese tribe after arriving on North Sentinel Island. The Andaman Sheekha reported that his body was spotted by local fishermen.
Police officials confirmed that a case of murder has been registered against unknown members of the Sentinelese tribe.
In a statement, his family said John ‘loved God, life, helping those in need, and had nothing but love for the Sentinelese people’. Seven people who helped him reach North Sentinel island have been arrested, as it is illegal under Indian law to go onto the islands. His family asked for the release of those arrested as he had gone onto the island of his own free will.
