Eleven Myanmar nationals were arrested on Nancowry Island in the Nicobar district during a three-day anti-poaching operation that began April 4, officials said. The operation, carried out under Operation Sea Sentinel, involved police working together with the Indian Coast Guard and the Army.
DGP Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal said the mission was launched on April 4 at 9 a.m. in sea areas off Kakana, Pilpillow, Pondha and Dering. A suspected Myanmarese poaching vessel was detected near the coast of North Kakana. To avoid capture, those on board cut the vessel’s anchor rope and fled southeast off Tillong Chaung.
Police and Coast Guard units pursued the boat and fired two warning shots, but the vessel kept moving and was later found abandoned near Isle of Man Island. The occupants had escaped into the island’s dense forest.
On April 5, a joint police–Army team apprehended one Myanmar national after a short chase. On April 6, teams located and arrested 10 more individuals who were hiding in forested areas, bringing the total detained to 11.
Authorities also seized about 800 kg of illegally harvested sea cucumber during the operation. Officials said the arrests were the result of coordinated patrolling and interception efforts under Operation Sea Sentinel.
