Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 19 December 2025
Acting on intelligence provided by local fishermen, the North & Middle Andaman District Police have successfully intercepted a group of foreign poachers operating along the uninhabited western coast of North Andaman Island. The two-week operation led to the arrest of multiple Myanmar nationals and the recovery of a substantial haul of illegally harvested sea cucumbers.
According to police, information received on December 1, 2025 indicated the presence of foreign poaching vessels near remote island stretches. In response, the district police swiftly initiated an anti-poaching mission codenamed ‘Operation Coral Shield.’
Multiple teams drawn from Police Stations Kalighat, Mayabunder and Diglipur, Outpost Kishorinagar, along with personnel from IRBn, PMF and Home Guard volunteers, were mobilised to the suspected zone. Continuous sea and coastal patrolling was conducted across nearly 50 sq km of island and waterways.
On December 2, the teams intercepted an engine-powered dinghy at Nemai Gope under Kalighat jurisdiction and apprehended two Myanmarese nationals. Police also seized approximately 800 kg of sea cucumber, along with survival articles believed to support extended illegal stay in the area.
Some suspects fled into the dense island forests, prompting an immediate jungle search. Over the next two weeks, police combed nearly 200 sq km of difficult terrain and coastal belts, working closely with fishermen and local intelligence sources.
Their efforts culminated on December 16, when three more poachers were captured at Karen Nallah on the north-western coast. The following day, another three were arrested at Nappi Gope.
Police reported that a total of 45 poachers have been arrested, six dinghies seized and about 1,500 kg of sea cucumber recovered in the North & Middle Andaman District so far this year.
The ‘Coral Shield’ exercise was coordinated by SI Shibender Nath Halder, SHO Kalighat, under the supervision of SDPO Diglipur Ankesh Yadav. The district police noted that the action forms part of the wider Operation Sanrakshan — a long-term A&N Police initiative aimed at protecting ecologically sensitive, uninhabited islands and enhancing maritime surveillance against illegal intrusion and environmental threats.
Police thanked fishermen for their swift reporting and urged the public to continue sharing credible information on crime or suspicious maritime activity with local police stations or helpline numbers 100, 112 or 03192-273344. Authorities assured that informants’ identities would remain confidential and they may be eligible for rewards. (Story Based on PR)
