13 Bangladeshi fishermen detained off Andhra Pradesh coast

Visakhapatnam, November 30 (IANS). On Sunday, the marine police detained 13 fishermen from Bangladesh in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. The fishermen were stranded at sea and the boat ran out of fuel and food, after which they reached Musavanipeta in Acherla mandal of the district. According to marine police, the boat allegedly drifted towards West Bengal and Odisha coast and later reached Srikakulam coast. Local fishermen informed the marine police after they saw the boat in the sea and found the activities of the people on board suspicious. Circle Inspector of Marine Police P. Prasad Rao and local Sub-Inspector G. Laxman Rao reached the shore with the staff. Three boats were deployed to bring the boat and its occupants to shore. Based on their language and dress, they were identified as Bangladeshis. The police arrested him and questioned him. The Bangladeshi fishermen were hungry and scared, so they struggled to talk to police officers. Some local fishermen who knew the language of Bangladesh talked to them and collected information. Bangladeshi fishermen reported that they lost their way while fishing in Bangladeshi waters and were washed to the Indian coast. The fishermen said that they were hungry for the last 15 days. Local people gave them food and medicine. He was taken to the Kalingapatnam police station. Marine Police said that they entered Indian waters without permission and therefore a case will be filed against them as per law. Police said they would inform the Bangladesh Coast Guard about the fishermen’s entry into Indian waters. According to the police, a similar incident happened in 2008 when a group of Bangladeshi fishermen drifted into Indian waters and reached Acherla. –IANS MS/ABM Share this story Tags