Kochi Police interrogating eight captured Somali nationals

Kochi, May 30 (ANI): Police and intelligence officials in Kochi, Kerala, are interrogating eight Somali fishermen who were spotted and taken into custody in Indian waters near the Lakshadweep Islands by the Indian Navy.

The Somalis were found near Kavaratti Island in a small boat. The Somalis were handed over to the Harbour Police in Kochi.

The first batch of three Somalians were discovered by locals at Minikoy Island in an unconscious state.

The eight have been identified as Abdullahi, 22, Saeed, 25, Mahad, 23, Abdi, 29, Gurey, 25, Endu, 31, Abbas, 35, and Farhan, 21.

After registering a case for illegal entry to India, they were taken to the Ernakulam General Hospital for a detailed medical check-up.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Mohammed Rafiq said a thorough interrogation would be carried out.

According to preliminary investigations, they claim to be fishermen and had drifted as their main ship had a technical snag in the engine. By Juhan Samuel (ANI)