PALGHAR, Maharashtra -- A fisherman was 'accidentally' shot by maritime security personnel at Bombay High on Sunday.
The Indian Navy on Monday admitted to shooting the fisherman in a boat in the Arabian Sea, around 80 km off Mumbai. He had strayed close to an offshore oil rig, IANS reported, quoting an official source.
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.
The incident happened about 24 nautical miles north of Uttan, when fishermen were arranging their floats, in which 32-year-old fishermen Shushant Agnel Luzi got injured in this firing, said Narendra Patil, Secretary of Maharashtra Macchimar Kruti Samiti, to PTI.
He was airlifted and brought to Juhu airport and later shifted to Nanavati, where his condition is said to be serious, he added.
Chairman of Uttan Macchimar Society, Leo Colaso claimed that this incident has induced a atmosphere of fear among the fishermen.
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