Fishermen smuggling sea cucumbers attack forest officials
Around 25 fishermen beat up Forest officials at Vedhalai coastal village near Rameswaram when the officials went to seize the sea cucumbers which were about to be smuggled from the coast. As a result, tension prevailed at the Vedhalai village.
By : migrator
Update: 2017-01-08 18:37 GMT
Madurai
Police forces had been posted in the village to arrest the fishermen and to bring the situation under control. The Forest Department officials based on a tip off went to raid a place at Vedhalai where sea cucumbers were kept illegally for smuggling.
On seeing them around 25 fishermen gathered and warned the Forest officials to go back. When the officials stood firm on going ahead with the raid, the fishermen started attacking the Forest officials with sticks. Following the attack, the officials ran away and called the local police for help.
Police reached the spot in large numbers and brought the situation under control. Then the Forest officials carried out the raid and found 35 bags of sea cucumbers kept ready in a van for smuggling off the village coast. They seized the bags immediately.
New warehouse found
When they continued the raids the officials found a new warehouse where sea cucumbers were processed and stored. Three bags of processed sea cucumbers were seized and the warehouse was sealed. Based on the identification of the Forest officials three fishermen were arrested so far.
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