Coast Guard apprehends 17 Myanmarese poachers

Port Blair, Jun 9 (UNI) The Indian Coast Guard has apprehended 17 Myanmarese poachers, fishing illegally in the Andaman waters, and seized about 200 kg of sea cucumber and king shells from their possession.

Public Relations Officer of the Andaman Coast Guard Unit Akshay Jain told UNI today, ''Coast Guard ship Bhikhaji Gama sighted a suspicious boat, near the Invisible Bank, about 60 miles south east of Port Blair, the capital islands, on June 7. Later, closer visual inspection revealed that it was a foreign boat.'' On seeing the Coast Guard ship approaching, the Myanmar boat picked up speed and tried to flee.

However, the Coast Guard vehicle, after half an hour of hot chase, overpowered the boat.

On investigation, it was confirmed that the boat, from Myanmar, with 17 fishermen, had arrived in the area the previous day, the Coast Guard Commandant said.

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