Kendrapada: Eight marine fishermen were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly attacking forest guards and forcibly freeing detained crew members in Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, officials said. With this, the number of people arrested for Sunday’s incident went up to 10.
The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when approximately 25 crew members from six trawlers allegedly attacked forest guards of a turtle patrol vessel about five kilometres from Babubali Island. The attackers reportedly assaulted the guards and freed eight fishermen from a seized trawler.
“Forest personnel were forced to fire three blank rounds in self-defence during the mid-sea confrontation. No injuries were reported,” said Manas Das, forest range officer of the marine sanctuary.
Following the incident, authorities seized one trawler and arrested its driver, Thakara Mallick, on Sunday. A dead Olive Ridley sea turtle was recovered from the vessel. The trawler’s owner, Abinash Nayak, was apprehended on Monday following an FIR filed at Talachua marine police station.
“We are conducting raids to arrest the remaining accused who are currently at large,” said Susmita Sahoo, IIC of Talachua marine police station.