- An Indian helicopter dropping food and water over the
remote Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been attacked by tribesmen using
bows and arrows.
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- There were fears that the endangered tribal groups had
been wiped out when massive waves struck their islands.
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- But the authorities say the attack is a sign that they
have survived.
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- More than 6,000 people there are confirmed as either
dead or missing, but thousands of others are still unaccounted for.
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- The Indian coastguard helicopter was flying low over
Sentinel Island to drop aid when it came under attack.
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- A senior police officer said the crew were not hurt and
the authorities are taking it as a sign that the tribes have not been wiped
out by the earthquake and sea surges as many had feared.
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- The Andaman and Nicobar archipelago is home to several
tribes, some extremely isolated.
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- Officials believe they survived the devastation by using
age-old early warning systems.
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- They might have run to high ground for safety after noticing
changes in the behaviour of birds and marine wildlife.
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- Scientists are examining the possibility to see whether
it can be used to predict earth tremors in future.
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- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4144405.stm
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