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Fishermen say Thai trawlers are still in Indian waters

The Border Security Force and the Coast Guard have failed to nab the Thai trawlers that entered Indian waters off the coast of West Bengal. According to radio messages received on Monday from Indian fishermen at sea, they could see six Thai trawlers anchored near a creek in the Bay of Bengal.

But BSF and Coast Guard personnel were unable to find them. "The security personnel can't see the foreign trawlers because the Thai fishermen have covered the roofs and decks with tree branches and leaves," the fishermen said in their radio messages to their bases in Gosaba.

Nine foreign trawlers reportedly carrying Thai fishermen had attacked Indian fishermen near Kendodeep Island on Saturday evening. The attackers are also said to have opened fire.

South 24 Parganas District Magistrate Alapon Bandopadhyay told reporters that so far the authorities had found no foreign trawlers. But the search continues.

"BSF and Coast Guard personnel have combed a 300 sq km area around the island, but have found nothing," Kanti Ganguly, West Bengal's minister for Sunderbans development, said. "We are categorically saying no foreigners have taken over any island in the Bay of Bengal."

Ganguly denied the claims made by the fishermen's union that about 100 fishermen were missing around the island since Saturday. "There is no basis to this claim. All fishermen are safe and those not home have gone out on expeditions and are in touch with their bases through radio."

But state Fisheries Minister Kiranmoy Nanda alleged that the Coast Guard patrolling off the West Bengal coast was slack. "The state government is responsible for the security of a distance of 12 nautical miles from the coast. Thereafter, it is the responsibility of the Coast Guard. Most deep-sea fishing activity takes place beyond 12 nautical miles," he said.

Ganguly earlier said the incident was being viewed with seriousness because of prior intelligence warning that anti-social elements could try to enter India through the Bay of Bengal. Kendodeep is situated only 1km from the Bangladesh coastline.

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