PORT BLAIR: Seven people on Wednesday were arrested in connection with the murder of American tourist John Allen Chau in North Sentinel Island, Andaman. The tourist was allegedly killed by a protected tribe in the region.

According to unconfirmed sources of news website Andaman Sheekha, the American national had gone to North Sentinel Island with a local fisherman nearly five days ago to interact with Sentinelese tribes, where he was killed by the hostile tribes of Sentinel Islands. The indigenous tribe having a sparse population is averse to keeping contact with the outside world. His body was spotted by some fishermen.

The local police had reportedly taken the matter very seriously and registered a case against unknown tribal members of Sentinelese Community and subsequently arrested seven persons.

Some reports suggest Chau had a strong desire to meet Sentinelese Tribes and had made several failed attempts in the past few years to approach them. This particular meeting, however, proved deadly, and claimed his life.

Chau was reportedly staying in a budget hotel at Dignabad area of Port Blair city.