Watch | Iranian Fishing Boat Intercepted Off Kerala Coast With Six Indian Fishermen Aboard

The Indian Coast Guard has intercepted an Iranian fishing vessel in the Arabian Sea off the Kerala coast, and six Indian crew members employed in the Islamic country were detained amid allegations of exploitation by the boat owner.

After the seizure of the boat, the Indian Coast Guard brought the vessel to Kochi for further investigation. “IndiaCoastGuard in a swift sea-air coordinated operation intercepts and detains #Iranian fishing vessel in #Arabian sea west off #Kerala coast with 06 #Indian crew employed on contractual basis at Iran,” the Indian Coast Guard said in a post on X.

‘Exploitation & mistreatment’

“Crew alleges exploitation & mistreatment by the boat owner. The boat has been brought to #Kochi for further investigation. Upholding maritime security & welfare #ICG demonstrates unwavering commitment,” it added. On Sunday, a police officer told PTI that the boat went out of fuel when it reached Koyilandy. “All those who were taken into custody were fishermen who had gone to Iran from Kanyakumari for fishing around one and half years ago,” he added.

As per the preliminary assumption, the fishermen were on their way to their native place after escaping from Iran. “As per their statement, they were not getting any salary and were suffering ill-treatment in Iran. They said they even had to suffer physical assault from the employer. So they escaped in the same boat they had been engaged in fishing,” he said. The boat is now under the custody of the Coast Guard and all the six fishermen were taken to Kochi, he added.

(With agency inputs)

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