Post News Network
Kendrapara, Dec 9: A fisherman was injured as Coast Guard opened fire at a cluster of trawlers which had sneaked into Gahirmatha marine sanctuary in the district, police said Tuesday.
Kendrapara Superintendent of Police Satish Kumar Gajaviye said the injured person, Ranjit Patra, was a crew member of a trawler that had intruded into prohibited sea waters.
He has been shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for treatment, the SP said.
The incident took place at about 9 pm Mondast gurad, y on Gahirmatha coast when a Coast Guard ship on security exercise spotted about 12 sea-worthy vessels, he said.
The Coast Guard personnel asked the crew of the vessels to surrender, but they didn’t pay any heed to it and tried to flee, Gajaviye said.
Later the Coast Guard opened fire, resulting in the injury of the fisherman, the SP said quoting CG personnel.
While eight fishermen have been arrested for illegal fishing in prohibited Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, the police started a separate investigation into the shootout incident. The arrested fishermen were produced in the Pattamundai JMFC court,Gajaviye added.
Gahirmatha is the breeding area for endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles.
