Port Blair, April 23: In a swift Operation, the Indian Coast Guard on 22nd April 21, apprehended one Myanmar fishing boat with 06 poachers illegally fishing in Indian waters, approx 5 NM North West of Narcondam Islands. The boat was first sighted by Indian Coast Guard Ship Rajkamal on patrol off Narcondam. The boat did not respond to VHF calls by ICG Ship and tried to evade by increasing speed and random course alternations. However, the Coast Guard Ship successfully intercepted the vessel along with its crew at 0500 hrs on 22 Apr 21.
On boarding by ICG team, the boat was found to be of Myanmarese Origin having 06 crew onboard. The boat was engaged in illegal fishing in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone. The boat and crew were escorted to Port Blair and were handed over to A&N police on 23 Apr 21 for further investigations.
The Coast Guard PRO in a communication today said that despite challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic, Coast Guard ships and aircraft are on patrol 24 x 7, monitoring activities in the Indian EEZ and protecting the sovereign rights of our country within the Maritime Zones. In case of any violation of the Indian laws and regulations, Indian Coast Guard units promptly take action against the defaulting vessels. The Indian Coast Guard maintains round the clock vigil to thwart any nefarious activity in Maritime Zones of India.