The Hindu Business Line : `Pakistan' hits troubled waters in Lakshadweep

`PAKISTAN' has landed in trouble. The crew of a container feeder vessel that bears this name found themselves in the police net when they disembarked at Lakshadweep during a voyage on Tuesday.

Some of the members of the crew, fascinated by the scenic beauty , disembarked at Suhali Islands of Lakshadweep without the permission of authorities.

The vessel Safmarine Pakistan was on its way to Tuticorin from the Port of Salalah in Oman with fully loaded containers. The feeder vessel is plying in the Salalah-Kochi-Tuticorin-Colombo sector.

Local fishermen in the island saw the crew disembarking from the ship and alerted the police. The name `Pakistan' created panic in the region.

Later, the police took four crew members, who alighted in the island, into custody. Following the police alert, the naval detachment at Lakshadweep sent its vessel INS Bangaram, which was patrolling the high seas, to inspect the vessel.

The container vessel was taken to the naval detachment at Kavaratti of the Indian Navy. There were 15 crew members in the vessel.

During questioning, the crew pleaded innocence and told the police that they had alighted because of the enchanting beauty of the coral islands.

Senior officials in the Southern Naval Command here confirmed that the container vessel is in the custody of the Navy and a joint interrogation by the Navy, Coast Guard and the Lakshadweep police was going on.

However, the officials pointed out that there was no cause for panic and the confusion is only because of the name `Pakistan.' All the documents are in order and the vessel will be released soon, they said.

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