Port Blair, April 21: The Andaman and Nicobar Police has made remarkable breakthrough in its ongoing efforts, to combat illegal poaching activities in the territorial waters, thereby safeguarding Coastal security.
In the run-up to the Lok Sabha Elections, Police Marine Force, intensified Coastal Security Surveillance in coordination with all other stakeholders, including the Fishermen Watch Groups.
This proactive approach resulted in 02 vigilant fishermen Shri. Mahesh and C.H Verawamy, residents of Dignabad, providing crucial information to the PMF Control Room, on April 12th, 2024, regarding sighting of suspicious dinghy, off Chidiyatapu coastal area.
Acting swiftly on this intelligence, Police Marine Force, assets were mobilized and an intensified search operation was launched.
Police Fast Interceptor Boat (FIB) Rifleman, intercepted 03 Myanmarese national, in a bamboo raft near Brichgunj area. They were apprehended and handed over to the Central Crime Police Station.
Subsequent, joint interrogations involving multiple intelligence agencies uncovered, a potential, larger presence of foreign nationals with intention of illegal poaching activities within the territorial waters.
In response to this revelation, an extensive Anti-poaching patrolling was launched by all the agencies deploying their assets at various strategic locations.
This yielded significant success on April 14, 2024 as 14 Myanmarese poachers in a wooden dinghy with large quantity of Sea Cucumber were apprehended, off the Rutland Island, by the Indian Coast Guard.
The apprehended poachers were promptly handed over to the P.S Central Crime Station, for the joint interrogation. Following which, an FIR has been registered against the 14 poachers under sections 14/14(A) of the Foreigners Act 1946, FRA Order 1963, and 50/51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
The alleged were presented before the Hon’ble Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Port Blair, whereby 10 poachers have been remanded to Judicial Custody and the remaining 04 have been taken in Police custody for further Interrogation.
The Operation was conducted under the supervision of Ms. Sindhu Pillai A, IGP, Ms. Varsha Sharma, DIGP (L&O/PMF), and Ms. Shweta K Sugathan, SP (PMF), under the leadership of Shri. Devesh Chandra Srivastva, IPS DGP A& N Islands.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Force extends its appreciation for the support and engagement of the local fishermen Community involved in this operation and reaffirms its commitment in preserving the Island's Marine biodiversity and safeguarding Coastal Security.