31 more Myanmarese poachers nabbed by police in Andaman

Port Blair, Sep 12 (UNI) The Andaman and Nicobar police have apprehended 31 Myanmarese poachers from Middle Andaman yesterday.

Andaman Superintendent of Police Ashok Chand told UNI that about 170 kg sea cucumber, 550 kg sea shells, two Myanmarese dinghies and other items were recovered from their possession.

Mr Chand said acting on a tip-off, the poachers were arrested from Mutha Nallah, Budha Ghope and adjoining areas of Middle Andaman.The foreign poachers have been brought here for necessary legal action against them, the SP added.

The poachers from Myanmar were increasingly preying on the fragile marine ecology of India's remote archipelago, police said adding that they have even set up their hideouts here.

More than 265 poachers were arrested up to August this year, compared to nearly 300 last year.

''The poachers are taking away our marine resources like valuable fishes, killing sharks and destroying corals,'' the SP said.

UNI