Mayabunder, Dec. 18: Acting on credible information received from local fishermen on 01/12/2025 regarding the sighting of suspected foreign poachers in the vicinity of uninhabited Western Coast of North Andaman Islands, an Anti-Poaching Operation ‘Coral Shield’ was swiftly launched by the North & Middle Andaman District Police. Multiple Anti-Poaching teams comprising of Police personnel from PS Kalighat, OP Kishorinagar, PS Mayabunder, PS Diglipur as well as personnel from IRBn, PMF and Home Guard Volunteers were immediately mobilized to the suspected location.
The team conducted persistent patrolling and extensive searches across the identified stretch of islands and adjoining sea routes spanning an area of 50 Sq. Km. During the operation, on 02/12/2025, the team successfully intercepted 01 engine-powered dinghy and apprehended 02 Myanmarese poachers along with approximately 800 kg of sea cucumber and other survival articles near Nemai Gope under the jurisdiction of Police Station Kalighat.
Some poachers managed to escape into the dense jungle of the Islands, following which a comprehensive and sustained jungle search operation was immediately launched to trace and apprehend them. The team undertook continuous tracking and combing efforts for two weeks, working in close coordination with the local fishermen community and building on local intelligence inputs.
After covering nearly 200 Sq. km across dense jungle terrain and coastal stretches and facing extremely difficult and hostile conditions, the team successfully apprehended 03 more poachers from Karen Nallah on 16/12/2025, followed by the apprehension of 03 more poachers from Nappi Gope on 17/12/2025. Thus, a total of 45 poachers has been apprehended, 06 dinghies seized and approximately 1,500 kg of sea cucumber have been recovered by North & Middle Andaman district police in the current year.
The operation Coral Shield was coordinated by SI Shibender Nath Halder, SHO PS Kalighat under the supervision of Shri. Ankesh Yadav, SDPO Diglipur. This forms part of the ongoing operation ‘SANRAKSHAN’ initiative launched by A&N Police aimed at strengthening maritime vigilance and safeguarding the uninhabited and ecologically sensitive islands of the Andaman & Nicobar. The North & Middle Andaman District Police commend the alert fishermen for their timely input and reaffirm commitment towards protecting marine biodiversity, preventing illegal trespassing and ensuring territorial security.