Crew member of US ship tries to end life

TN police arrest two remaining members

The Tamil Nadu “Q” branch of police on Saturday arrested the two remaining crew members who had been allowed to remain with detained US vessel MV Seaman Guard for maintenance.

The arrest took place after one of the persons allegedly tried to commit suicide inside the ship.

“Two crew members were permitted to stay on board to carry out the maintenance of the ship and they were arrested on Saturday after alternative arrangements were made from our side,” an investigation officer from Tuticorin said.

“Both were kept at Muthialpet police station in Tuticorin,” the official added.
However, the police official was tightlipped when asked about the alleged attempt at suicide by one of the men.

Reports from Tuticorin said that ship's Chief Engineer Sedo, a Korean, allegedly attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself from the flag mast.

But Central Industrial Security Force foiled his attempt.
He was rushed to the hospital and doctors declared him normal.

Meanwhile, police also detained three locals, who were suspected to have illegally sold diesel to the ship “M V Seaman Guard Ohio”, owned by a private firm in the US.

Thirty-three crew members of the ship were arrested on Friday on charges of illegally carrying arms and ammunition and straying into Indian territorial waters without permission. They were remanded to 14 days judicial custody by a court in Chennai. All of them are currently lodged in the local jail.

The police, have seized 35 arms and about 5,680 rounds of ammunition from the vessel, whose crew included 12 Indians.

The probe, by various police wing in the last three days, has confirmed that the vessel was found in the country’s territorial waters contained a huge quantity of arms and ammunition, without valid authorisation of documents.