About 20 people suspected to be Bangladeshis arrived at Paradip Fishing Harbour  |  Photo Credit: ANI
Bhubaneswar: At least 20 people, reported to be Bangladeshis, were rescued off the Paradip coast in Odisha after they got stranded in the sea. They have been safely brought to the land and authorities have launched a probe into their movement.
While speaking to media, Paradip Additional SP, Nimain Charan Sethi confirmed that about 20 persons got stranded in the sea yesterday but were rescued by some boatmen.
They were brought to Paradip Fishing Harbour and given food and medical supplies. Authorities suggest the rescued individuals are Bangladeshi nationals who were trying to sneak in into the Indian territory.
“About 20 people suspected to be Bangladeshis arrived at Paradip Fishing Harbour. We are verifying their movement; their motorboat engine reportedly was out of order. With the help of some boatmen here, they were rescued,” said Sethi.
Odisha | About 20 people suspected to be Bangladeshis arrived at Paradip Fishing Harbour. We are verifying their movement; their motor boat engine reportedly was out of order. With the help of some boatmen here, they were rescued: Charan Sethi, Additional SP, Paradip (26.12) pic.twitter.com/K5sj77OMvX
— ANI (@ANI) December 26, 2021
“We are verifying their movement whether they are genuine or not,” he added.
Fifteen mobile phones have been confiscated from them, according to the Paradip Marine Police.
The Bangladeshi nationals had left their country on December 9 and their boat was damaged by the storm after two days on December 11.
Further investigation into the matter is underway.