The Indian Coast Guard personnel (Representative image)
Credit: PTI Photo
Udupi: An Omanian fishing boat - Shattaf Launch Manufacturing - moving suspiciously near St Mary's Island in Malpe was seized jointly by the Coastal Security Police (CSP) and Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
Three fishermen who were onboard the fishing boat have been arrested and identified as - James Franklin Moses (50), Robinston (50), and Derose Alphonso (38), all residents of Tamil Nadu.
The three arrested have been remanded in judicial custody.
In a complaint, Chief Coast Guard Officer Sukhinder Singh said while patrolling, the Coast Guard and Coastal Security Police personnel noticed the Omanian fishing boat.
The Indian Coast Guard personnel have taken all the three on board into custody. During enquiry, the three claimed that they were Indian citizens and were engaged in fishing activities in Oman.
They had entered Indian water illegally, Singh said in his complaint to Malpe Coastal Security Police Station. He said that the three did not possess Indian passports or any other documents pertaining to the boat and thereby they had violated Section 3 (A) of Indian Passport (Entry into India) Rules 1950.
A case has been registered under Section 3 (A) of Indian Passport (Entry into India) Act 1920, Maritime Zone of Indian Act 1981 under Sections 10, 11 and 12.
The boat had departed from Duqm Fishing Harbor in Oman on February 17 and was heading towards St Mary's Island via Karwar. Officials from the Indian Coast Guard, Central Intelligence Department, Customs, Dog Squad, and fingerprint experts carried out searches in the boat. No suspicious items were found on the boat, said Coastal Security police personnel.
The joint operation was carried out under the guidance of CSP SP Mithun H N, Indian Coast Guard Commander Vishal Rana along with officials from CSP, central intelligence and customs.