Udupi: As many as 15 Iranian fishermen were apprehended by the Coastal Security Police (CSP) of Karnataka on Thursday, November 1, under the Maritime Zone of Indian Act, 1981 for illegally entering and fishing in Indian waters.
According to a report by TOI, CSP superintendent of police, R Chethan said that the accused were arrested based on a complaint filed by deputy commandant and boarding officer, Indian Coast Guard, New Mangaluru Kuldeep Sharma. The incident of illegal entry was reported when ICGS Vikram was patrolling the coast.
They have been remanded to judicial custody till November 14.
Two fishing boats, Avidhi and Ishan had entered Indian waters on October 21 at 2.46 PM and were found fishing around 165 nautical miles away from Agatti Island in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.
The master of the fishing boats was asked to stop and when they refused, the boats were intercepted and the master and crew were asked to produce their documents. This was also refused and the boats were taken into custody and towed to the New Mangaluru Port.
The Avidhi boat, however, developed technical issues and it sank near Agatti island. The crew were moved to fishing boat Ishan and brought to the Mangaluru Port.
According to the SP, the accused are Iranian nationals and were illegally operating in the Indian waters. Apart from illegally collecting resources from Indian territory, they had no license and obstructed the Coast Guard from performing their duties. They have been booked under sections 3, 7, 10, 15(a), 14 and 15 (c) of the Maritime Zone of Indian Act 1981.
