Indian Troops Intercept Maldivian Fishing Vessel for Second Time

MV+ News Desk | February 3, 2024
Photo: @FishermensUnion

A Maldivian fishing boat has reported being halted and searched by Indian soldiers for the second time while operating within the country’s territorial waters.

The vessel, identified as Maahoara-3, was among three fishing boats intercepted and inspected by armed officers from the Indian Coast Guard on Wednesday. The other two vessels were named as Neru-7 and Asurumaa-3, the latter being a yellowfin tuna fishing boat from ADh. Mahibadhoo.

According to the sailors aboard the boats, the Indian soldiers demanded access to the vessels’ satellite phone numbers during the searches, prompting concerns among the crew members. The sailors further alleged that they were subjected to threats during the encounters.

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has stated its intention to release a formal statement regarding the incident at a later time.

The Boat and Ship Maintenance Union (BKMU), representing the interests of the fishermen, disclosed that the soldiers who boarded Maahoara-3 again on Thursday reiterated their demand for the satellite phone number. Notably, BKMU highlighted that the soldiers involved in Thursday’s encounter belonged to a different ship than those encountered on Wednesday.

Video footage of Wednesday’s encounter has been shared by the union, shedding light on the nature of the interactions between the Maldivian fishing boats and the Indian soldiers.

Subsequently, the MNDF confirmed yesterday that all three fishing boats were operating within the maritime boundaries of the Maldives at the time of the boarding incidents. The military authorities further clarified that the operations were conducted without prior coordination with Maldivian authorities, contravening established international maritime laws and regulations.

The Maldivian government has formally requested an explanation from India regarding the incidents, seeking clarity on the circumstances surrounding the repeated stop-and-search operations within its territorial waters.

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