Andhra Pradesh - Nellore   

2 Tanzanian nationals detained

– Photo: R. Srinivas

In the dock: Krishnapatnam Port Immigration Officer G.Srinivasa Rao questioning the stowaways, Martin and Selemam, at Krishnapatnam Port in Nellore district on Friday.

NELLORE: Two Tanzania nationals illegally entered into the country in a cargo vessel coming from South Africa via. Chennai to Krishnapatnam port here.

On receiving information, police alerted the Coast Guard, Director of Ports, Intelligence Bureau, Immigration and Customs Departments officials.

The Immigration and Customs officials are questioning the stowaways and are trying to find out the reason for their entry into the country.

The two stowaways have been identified as -- Martin Prosper Turuka (23) and Omari Selemam (24) – both natives of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Neither of them possessed identity cards or passports nor were their names entered into the seaman’s record book.

The youth spent about 15 days in the vessel in India.

According to the sources, they boarded the cargo vessel belonging to M.V.Bao Wealth Private Limited, of Shanghai, Singapore on October 7, 2009 and travelled up to Chennai. The vessel imported steam coal from Richards Bay in South Africa and arrived at Chennai harbour on October 31.

The crew who observed the stowaways informed the matter to the immigration authorities who refused to give permission to give permission for the ship for anchorage at Chennai. However, after taking undertaking from the captain that they will not allow the stowaways to disembark from the vessel the officials allowed it and passed information to the immigration officials in the district.

Superintendent of Police B. Malla Reddy said the vessel arrived at Krishnapatnam Port on November 8, to export iron ore.

Following a tip-off from the officials of Chennai harbour, the police inquired into the incident and allowed the ship to the port on November 11, after taking an undertaking from the shipping services authorities.

“The Immigration officials found that there were 22 crew in the ship and the stowaways do not possess any passports and ID cards,” said Mr.Reddy.

Ship Captain Ji Mu Yun has said information has been passed to the concerned officials in Tanzania, South Africa, Singapore, China and India over the illegal entry of the two Tanzania nationals in to the vessel.

“They entered into the vessel without our knowledge. One of the accused (Martin) has worked as deck boy in a ship for about 18 months back,” said Mr.Yun.

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