In a recent maritime development off the coast of Mumbai, three individuals hailing from Kanyakumari were apprehended aboard a Kuwaiti fishing trawler by the crew of Chaitrali, a patrol boat of the Yellow Gate police station. The interception occurred on Tuesday morning near Prongs Lighthouse, approximately four nautical miles from the iconic Gateway of India, following which the individuals were escorted to the Colaba police station.
According to Sanjay Latkar, DCP of the Port Zone, the detained men asserted that they were employed by a company in Kuwait but chose to flee due to unpaid wages and irregular food provisions spanning two years. Moreover, their passports had allegedly been confiscated by their employers. Navigating their escape using a GPS device, the trio embarked on a ten-day journey to Mumbai’s shores. Latkar disclosed that the individuals claimed to have been inspected twice en route to Mumbai.
Identified as Nitso Ditto (31), J Sayyantha Anish (32), and Enfant Vijay Vinay Anthony (32), the trio, described by police as professional fishermen, set sail from Kuwait on January 28. Colaba police officers are currently questioning them, although communication barriers persist due to their limited proficiency in English and Hindi. Despite their illegal re-entry into the country, authorities view the trio as victims of exploitation.
However, discrepancies emerged regarding the interception process, with the Navy and Coast Guard facing scrutiny for purported lapses. While naval sources assert that they initially intercepted the vessel at Prongs Lighthouse and subsequently alerted police, DCP Latkar claims it was the police who halted the vessel and notified the Navy.
The Navy spokesperson rebuffed suggestions of negligence, urging the police to conduct a thorough investigation. Notably, senior officials from the Coast Guard were unavailable for comment. This incident raises concerns about maritime security, especially in light of heightened surveillance measures post the 26/11 terror attack. The mystery surrounding the vessel’s undetected approach underscores the need for a comprehensive inquiry into the lapses within coastal security protocols.
Sources By Agencies