Navy shoots ''trespassing'' fisherman

Mumbai, May 18

The Indian Navy on Monday admitted to shooting a fisherman in a boat in the Arabian Sea, around 80 km off Mumbai. He had strayed close to an offshore oil rig, an official said here on Monday.

The incident occurred late Sunday evening when an 'Immediate Support Vessel' was on a coastal security patrol in the high security and prohibited Offshore Development Area of Bombay High.

During this period, it was observed that a fishing boat was anchored close to an oil platform. Also, it was warned to move out from trespassing into the restricted area there.

"Despite repeated warnings, the boat refused to move out of the prohibited area, which is when the warning shots were fired into the water...One round deflected on hitting the water and hit a fisherman in a boat," the Indian Navy said.

He was immediately evacuated by a helicopter and rushed to an onshore hospital for treatment where his condition is reported stable.

The victim's family was informed and the incident has been reported to the Joint Operations Centre which has now ordered an inquiry into the matter.

IANS