John Wilbert & Savita Kumari
Port Blair, Mar 14: Eight fishermen, onboard an Andaman fishing boat, were detained by Indonesian Authorities a few days back for entering inside their territorial waters.
Now Andaman Sheekha Daily has been informed that the Andaman and Nicobar Administration is taking up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs for the safe repatriation of all the fishermen.
As per details, the Andaman fishing boat named ‘Blessing’ bearing registration number IND-AN-SA-MM-2110 was detained on 07th March 2022 after which all the 08 fishermen onboard the vessel were arrested and the fishing boat was seized.
Although all eight fishermen actually hail from Mainland India but presently they were working in Andaman, four among them were working in Andaman for a long time.
Mr. Utpal Kumar Sar, Director of Fisheries Department, A&N Administration today told Andaman Sheekha Daily that the matter is being taken up with the home department and the Ministry of External Affairs has also been intimated about this matter.
“All necessary steps are being taken to bring all fishermen back safely. Andaman and Nicobar Administration is taking this matter very seriously,” he added.
According to the owner of the boat ‘Blessing’, who is a resident of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, two days before the arrest, he had got information of some technical snags in the boat. He suspects that due to engine failure the boat might have drifted in Indonesian waters.
“There is a possibility that strong winds might have pushed the boat towards Indonesian borders,” the Director added.
