Mumbai: Coastal police intercepts trio on Kuwaiti boat, Navy dispute

PTC News Desk: Three individuals from Kanyakumari were apprehended aboard a Kuwaiti fishing trawler near Prongs Lighthouse by the crew of Chaitrali, a patrol boat of the Yellow Gate police station. Identified as Nitso Ditto, J Sayyantha Anish, and Enfant Vijay Vinay Anthony, they claimed to be professional fishermen who embarked from Kuwait on January 28.

According to DCP Sanjay Latkar, Port Zone, the men fled Kuwait due to unpaid wages, irregular meals, and confiscated passports by their employers. Utilising GPS navigation, they reached Mumbai's shores after a ten-day journey, during which they were allegedly checked twice en route. Colaba police are interrogating the trio, who face language barriers, lacking fluency in English or Hindi. Despite their illegal entry, authorities view them as victims of exploitation.

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However, the vessel's unnoticed arrival in Mumbai raises concerns. The Navy asserted that the police intercepted the boat, contradicting claims made by DCP Latkar. Naval sources contend they alerted authorities after spotting the vessel.

The Coast Guard and Navy, entrusted with maritime surveillance, face scrutiny over this security breach, especially post-26/11. Questions linger over how the Kuwaiti boat managed to reach Mumbai undetected, echoing similar incidents like the discovery of an arms-laden yacht off Raigad district last year.

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(Inputs from agencies)