Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 27 December 2025
The Anti-Poaching drive ‘Operation Coral Shield’, launched along the western coast of North Andaman on December 1, concluded successfully on December 24 with the surrender of the last remaining poacher at LOP Burmanallah.
Acting on credible inputs received from local fishermen, the Andaman & Nicobar Police had launched the operation to curb illegal poaching activities in the ecologically sensitive coastal and forest areas. Sustained surveillance, intensive area domination and consistent operational pressure over several weeks ultimately compelled the final poacher to surrender with the assistance of villagers from Pan Nallah.
With this surrender, all 10 Myanmarese poachers involved in the case have been apprehended. The operation also led to the seizure of one engine-fitted dinghy and the recovery of approximately 800 kg of sea cucumber, a protected marine species. With these recoveries, the cumulative figures for the current year now stand at 47 Myanmarese poachers apprehended, six engine dinghies seized, and about 1,500 kg of sea cucumber recovered.
The month-long operation showcased the courage, endurance and professionalism of the Andaman & Nicobar Police personnel drawn from Police Stations Kalighat, Mayabunder and Diglipur, along with OP Kishorinagar, IRBn, PMF, and Home Guard Volunteers. Teams maintained round-the-clock surveillance and carried out extensive tracking and combing operations across nearly 200 square kilometres of dense jungle and coastal terrain, in close coordination with local fishermen and villagers of Coffee Dera, Pan Nallah and adjoining areas.
The entire operation was conducted under the guidance of Mr. Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal, IPS, Director General of Police, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Reiterating its commitment to safeguarding marine and forest biodiversity, the Andaman & Nicobar Police affirmed that strict action will continue against illegal trespassing and poaching to ensure environmental and territorial security in the islands’ sensitive regions.
The police have appealed to the public to share any credible information related to crime or illegal activities with the nearest police station or through helpline numbers 100, 112 or 03192-273344, assuring that the identity of informers will be kept confidential and suitably rewarded.
