Credit: Special Arrangement
Udupi: The Coastal Security Police and Indian Coast Guard jointly intercepted and seized an Omanian fishing boat, Shattaf Launch Manufacturing, sailing suspiciously near St Mary’s Island at Malpe near here on Tuesday.
Three fishermen James Franklin Moses (50), Robinston (50) and Derose Alphonso (38), all residents of Tamil Nadu, were arrested and remanded in judicial custody, police sources added.
In a complaint, Chief Coast Guard Officer Sukhinder Singh said the Coast Guard and Coastal Security police sighted the Omanian fishing boat during a routine patrol.
The Coast Guard personnel took all three men on board the fishing boat into custody. During the enquiry, they claimed that they were Indian citizens and engaged in fishing activities in Oman.
They had entered Indian waters illegally, Singh said in his complaint to Malpe coastal security police station.
He said they did not possess Indian passports or any documents related to the boat. A case has been registered under the Indian Passport (Entry into India) Act 1920 and Maritime Zones of India Act, 1981.
According to the men, their boat had set sail from Duqm Fishing Harbor in Oman on February 17 and was heading towards St Mary’s island via Karwar.