SRIKAKULAM: Kalingapatnam marine police on Sunday detained at least 13 Bangladesh fishermen who had strayed into Indian waters near Musavanipeta coastal village under Etcherla mandal in the district.
The detained fishermen were identified as Sajeev (21), Jahanger (35), Sabbir (25), Kokon (32), Maksudh (40), Malik (80), Md Farukh (55), Maksudh (50), Nasir (65), Hellal (28), Farukh (50), Alam (46) and Samem (21) of Bhola District in Barisal Division of south-central Bangladesh.
According to sources, residents of Musavanipeta found a suspicious boat in the Bay of Bengal and informed the Kalingapatnam marine police on Sunday.
A team led by circle inspector (CI) B Prasada Rao rushed to the spot and found 13 fishermen who were sick due to lack of food for the past one week.
The police seized the boat and brought the fishermen to the shore. They provided food, water and necessary medicines to the fishermen in the village before shifting them to the Kalingapatnam marine police station for further legal procedures.
Speaking to TNIE, Kalingapatnam Marine Circle Inspector B Prasada Rao said: “We identified a suspicious boat anchored in the Indian marine zone near Musavanipeta coastal village under Etcherla mandal in Srikakulam . We found that the fishermen were from Bangladesh and had crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) due to a technical glitch in their boat.
They were in a very weak condition due to lack of food for the past few days. We apprehended them, provided necessary food and medicines, and shifted them to the marine police station. We have informed our higher officials as well as the Indian Embassy officials. We will proceed further as per the instructions of higher authorities.”