Arrival of 'mysterious ships' leads to disquiet in Alappuzha

Alappuzha, Mar 19 (UNI) Even as Defence Minister A K Antony has been sounding the alert about the possibility of terrorists using the marine route to infiltrate into India, the presence of two mysterious ships in this district in the past two months has led to disquiet.

While the first ship was sighted off the coast of Alappuzha, which also happens to be Mr Antony's home district, on February ten, the other appeared on the shore near the old port bridge last Monday.

Local police rushed to the beach on Monday on being informed of ship, which was anchored about 14 km from the shore. However, police were handicapped by lack of any facilities to do an off-shore search. Police said they informed the Coast Guard and Navy about the ship.

In the first instance on February ten, two sailors from the ship came ashore to buy fuel. Later, police registered a case and started an inquiry. By the time the Coast Guard arrived here, the ship left.

The fishermen who reportedly helped the sailors to land say the latter told them they had run out of fuel. Police have not yet asked the fishermen about the sailors and the language they spoke. Doubts have been raised on why the ships were anchored outside the town.

UNI