Tamil Nadu police have launched a manhunt for two men who allegedly procured and supplied diesel illegally for Seaman Guard Ohio
Reuters
Chennai: A day after an FIR was filed against 35 persons on board US ship 'M V Seaman Guard Ohio,' detained for straying into Indian waters carrying weapons and ammunition, a multi-agency investigation, including officials from RAW and IB, has begun, sources said today.
Tamil Nadu government despatched a preliminary report on the incident to the Home Ministry and RAW and IB have joined the investigatgins along with other agencies to ascertain whether the crew had documents for all the weapons they carried on board the vessel for a detailed report, they said. The final report on the investigation would be sent to the Home Ministry, they said. However, officials remained tight-lipped on the course of the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu police have launched a manhunt for two men who allegedly procured and supplied diesel illegally for Seaman Guard Ohio. "We want to take them into custody to probe if the deal with Ohio pertained only to diesel," an official said. An FIR was registered against 10 crew members and 25 guards of the vessel under various sections of the Arms Act, after the ship flying the Sierra Leone flag was intercepted by the Coast Guard in Indian waters some 15 nautical miles off Tuticorin coast on Saturday.
Besides, a case under the Essential Commodities Act has also been registered for buying 1,500 litres of diesel illegally with the help of a local shipping agent.
IANS reports
The case relating to the detained US company-owned armed ship under the marine police is being shifted to Q branch of the Tamil Nadu Police, said a police official here Tuesday. "The case is being transferred to the Q branch of Tamil Nadu Police. As far as investigations are concerned, the status quo continues," a marine police official, preferring anonymity, told IANS.
The Q branch monitors activities of banned organisations and people associated with such groups. The Tamil Nadu government has sent a preliminary report to the central government on the episode and the final report will be sent later. Flying West African country Sierra Leone's flag, Seaman Guard Ohio, owned by US company AdvanFort was in Indian waters Friday night around 15 nautical miles from Tuticorin port. The Indian Coast Guard escorted the ship with 35 members (10 crew and 25 security guards) to Tuticorin port, around 600 km from here.
Officials from different security departments are questioning members of the ship as automatic rifles, bullets and other arms were found on board the vessel. The Coast Guard said the authorisation for carrying arms onboard is yet to be produced and verified. According to a marine police official, the security guards on the ship maintained that the arms were for providing security to ships, and they were waiting for further orders. The marine police Monday registered a first information report (FIR) against the ship crew and other members.
The police official said the crew members are giving contradictory statements. Also, the papers presented by them do not support their oral version. AdvanFort specialises in providing maritime security against pirates. According to the Coast Guard, the vessel was manned by a 10-member crew, of which eight are Indians and two Ukrainians. The vessel also had 25 security guards - six British, 14 Estonians, one Ukrainian and four Indians.
The ship also bought around 1,500 litres of diesel without proper papers. A case was registered for that as well. According to a website that tracks marine traffic, the last known port of call for Seaman Guard Ohio was Sharjah.
The Q branch monitors activities of banned organisations and people associated with such groups. The Tamil Nadu government has sent a preliminary report to the central government on the episode and the final report will be sent later. Flying West African country Sierra Leone's flag, Seaman Guard Ohio, owned by US company AdvanFort was in Indian waters Friday night around 15 nautical miles from Tuticorin port. The Indian Coast Guard escorted the ship with 35 members (10 crew and 25 security guards) to Tuticorin port, around 600 km from here.
Officials from different security departments are questioning members of the ship as automatic rifles, bullets and other arms were found on board the vessel. The Coast Guard said the authorisation for carrying arms onboard is yet to be produced and verified. According to a marine police official, the security guards on the ship maintained that the arms were for providing security to ships, and they were waiting for further orders. The marine police Monday registered a first information report (FIR) against the ship crew and other members.
The police official said the crew members are giving contradictory statements. Also, the papers presented by them do not support their oral version. AdvanFort specialises in providing maritime security against pirates. According to the Coast Guard, the vessel was manned by a 10-member crew, of which eight are Indians and two Ukrainians. The vessel also had 25 security guards - six British, 14 Estonians, one Ukrainian and four Indians.
The ship also bought around 1,500 litres of diesel without proper papers. A case was registered for that as well. According to a website that tracks marine traffic, the last known port of call for Seaman Guard Ohio was Sharjah.
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