Port Blair, Nov 25: Nearly 160 Myanmar fishermen, who have completed their jail terms in India, were today repatriated to Yangon by the Indian Coast Guard, Andaman and Nicobar region.

"These fishermen were apprehended by the coast guard and local police during various anti-poaching operations," Inspector General, Commander S P Sharma, said yesterday.

The Indian Coast Guard ship Vajra, which arrived especially for the purpose, along with C G Ships Ganga Devi and Arka Devi, will take these fishermen to their native land, Sharma said.

The ships, which set on sail today will reach Yangon on November 26. On their return, the ships will bring back six Indian fishermen of Hutbay, whose boat had strayed into the Myanmar waters due to rough weather, he added.

Another batch of 161 fishermen of Myanmar would be repatriated on December 3 and would reach Yangon on December 5, Sharma informed.

This is third such repatriation this year with 432 Myanmar fishermen being repatriated to their homeland. The repatriation have been planned following an agreement between the governments of Myanmar and India.



Bureau Report