In a startling revelation, three fishermen, identified as Nitso Ditto, J Sayyantha Anish, and Enfant Vijay Vinay Anthony, were discovered near the Mumbai coast after embarking on a perilous journey to escape exploitation in Kuwait. Sanjay Latkar, DCP of Port Zone, disclosed that the men claimed to have endured two years of unpaid wages and irregular food provisions, prompting their decision to flee from their employers. Their passports had been confiscated, leaving them trapped in dire circumstances.
According to DCP Latkar, the trio, hailing from Kanyakumari, resorted to using a GPS device to navigate their way to Mumbai, where they hoped to find refuge. It took them ten days to traverse the vast expanse of the Arabian Sea, evading detection until they reached Indian shores. Upon their arrival, they were promptly intercepted and handed over to the Colaba police for further investigation.
The fishermen, who had commenced their journey from Kuwait on January 28, recounted their ordeal, shedding light on the exploitation rampant in certain sectors abroad. However, the naval spokesperson, when questioned, declined to acknowledge any oversight on the part of the defense forces. Instead, they deferred to the ongoing police investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the fishermen’s clandestine voyage.
This incident has raised serious questions about the efficacy of maritime surveillance measures, particularly in light of heightened security protocols post the 26/11 terror attacks. Despite claims of thorough aerial and sea patrols by the defense forces, the fact that a vessel originating from Kuwait managed to approach Mumbai undetected casts doubt on the effectiveness of existing monitoring systems.
As investigations unfold, attention is increasingly drawn to the plight of migrant workers subjected to exploitation and the imperative of bolstering maritime surveillance to prevent similar incidents in the future.