Indian Coast Guard apprehends 16 Myanmar nationals

Port Blair, Mar 28 (UNI) Indian Coast Guard has apprehended 16 Myanmarese off Barren Island volcano of Andaman and Nicobar chain, coastguard sources said here today.

Responding to intelligence input regarding the presence of a dinghy with nearly 16 personnel off Barren Island, Coast Guard swung into action.

''Indian Coast Guard Ship Kanaklata Barua patrolling in area was diverted to investigate the dinghy and Coast Guard Dornier was also launched for sea-air co-ordinated search,'' Akshay Jain, Public Relation Officer of Coast Guard of Andaman and Nicobar Circle, told UNI today.

Coast Guard Dornier sighted the dinghy on 27th late evening, 100 yards east of Barren Island and passed the position to the ship.

''On arrival in position Indian Coast Guard ship Kanaklata Barua dispatched a boarding party to investigate the dinghy,'' he said.

''The dinghy with 16 crew was from Myanmar and were found without valid documents in Indian waters. The Myanmar nationals were apprehended and taken on board,'' he said.

The ship maintained sharp vigil at night and took the boat under tow early this morning. The Indian Coast Guard ship with apprehended foreign nationals and dinghy arrived Port Blair, who were later handed over to Andaman and Nicobar olice for further prosecution.

UNI