India repatriates 213 Myanmarese poachers from Andaman

Port Blair, Jan 13 (UNI) The Union government today repatriated 213 Myanmarese poachers from Andaman to Myanmar who have already served their terms in Andaman jail, Coast Guard officials said.

''Three Coast Guard ships are leaving today for Myanmar from Port Blair with 213 Mayanmarese for repatriation. This is a noble gesture of the Union Government,'' Inspector General S P Sharma, Commander of Coast Guard's Andaman and Nicobar Region, told reporters here today before the send off.

Addressing mediapersons on board INS Varad, one of the ship taking away the poachers, Mr Sharma said some senior officers of Myanmar Embassy had also arrived here to ensure their nationality.

All the poachers were apprehended by Coast Guard as well as Andaman and Nicobar Police in the past and were living in poachers' camp in Andaman after their jail term, waiting for their repatriation.

''Coast Guard ships Varad and Ganga Devi from Andaman&Nicobar CG region and CGS Vivek from Vishakapattanam are taking all these people to Myanmar,'' Mr Sharma said.

''Another two hundred Myanmarese poachers are presently serving their sentences in Andaman Jail at present,'' he added.

''While coming back two Indian Fishermen of Kolkata will be brought from Myanmar, ''reciprocating Indian Government's good will gesture''.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands were often raided by poachers of South Asian neighbouring countries for poaching sea cucumber, shark and other costly marine resources.

UNI