Myanmarese Poacher shot dead in Andamans

Port Blair, Sept 10 (UNI) One Myanmarese poacher was shot dead in a remote island of Andaman and Nicobar Chain.

Police today said the incident took place on Saturday night when a team of Andaman and Nicobar Police on a tip-off went to the creek of Long Island, of Middle Andaman Region, to apprehend nearly 15 Myanmarese poachers.

Andaman District Superintendent of Police Ashok Chand said in retaliation to an attack by the group of Myanmarese poachers the police team fired two rounds in the air and as many at the dinghy of the Myanmarese Poachers. One poacher died on the spot,he added.

Chand told UNI that when the police team reached near the dinghy of poachers they were attacked with deadly weapons like knives, sickles, axe, rod and crow bars and the jawans had no option but to fire two rounds to deter the Myanmarese poachers and save themselves.

The poacher's body has been brought to the Port Blair today for post mortem.

Two police persons have also sustained serious injuries,Chand stated.He said after the shoot out the poachers left the dinghy and escaped into the dense forest.

The police team recovered knives, sickles, axe, rod and crow bar from the dinghy and 75 kg of sea cucumber.

Meanwhile, the Andaman and Nicobar Police have registered a case of rioting attempt to murder and Foreigner Act against the Myanmarese poachers, who are still absconding.

Combing operations are on to apprehended the absconding Myanmarese poachers, the SP said.

'' This is not the first case of shooting foreign poachers,'' the SP said. The Myanmarese poachers are constantly depleting the economic maritime wealth by targeting the Exclusive Economic Zone of India. Till last month 265 Myanmarese Poachers have been apprehended from Andaman Islands and cases under appropriate section of law has been registered against them by Police,'' he added.

UNI