As of January 23, 2026, the Great Nicobar Tribal Council is in a major standoff with the Andaman and Nicobar administration over the ₹81,000–92,000 crore Great Nicobar Island mega-infrastructure project.
Refusal to Sign "Surrender Certificates" (Jan 22, 2026): Council members, led by Chairman Barnabas Manju, alleged that the district administration is pressuring them to sign documents to "surrender" their ancestral lands. They claim these certificates would permanently relinquish their rights to villages inhabited before the 2004 tsunami—such as Chingenh, Kokeon, and Pulo Baha—which are now slated for project development.
About Nicobar Tribal Council
The Nicobar Tribal Council is the apex representative body for the Nicobarese community, a recognized Scheduled Tribe in the Nicobar District of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It serves as a bridge between the local administration and the tribal people, governing through a mix of traditional customary laws and modern democratic processes.
1. Structure and Governance
The council operates as a hierarchical system of democratic representation:
- Village Level: Each village has a Village Council headed by a 1st Captain, who is assisted by a 2nd and 3rd Captain. Captains are elected democratically by secret ballot, typically for a four-year term.
- Island Level: Each of the seven main island groups has its own Tribal Council (e.g., Car Nicobar, Nancowry, Katchal). These are formed by the 1st Captains of the constituent Village Councils.
- Leadership: The 1st Captains of an island elect a Chief Captain and a Vice Chief Captain to lead the respective Tribal Council.
2. Legal Status and Authority
- Traditional Authority: For over a century, these councils have maintained internal peace and administered justice according to customary laws.
- Statutory Regulation: The council is statutorily empowered under the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Tribal Councils) Regulation, 2009. This regulation provides a legal framework for the councils to administer justice and regulate land use.
- Role in Development: While not formally constituted as Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), Tribal Councils implement various government development schemes (such as the JGSY) and provide input on planning at the grass-roots level.
3. Key Responsibilities
- Conflict Resolution: Settling minor disputes within and between villages using traditional methods.
- Land Management: Acting as a collective voice for the community regarding land rights and forest diversion.
- Cultural Preservation: Documenting oral traditions and protecting the unique matrilineal heritage of the Nicobarese.
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