Mystery trawler: Govt writes to Centre, seeking NIA probe

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the mystery continues over the Iranian trawler with 12 nationals, which was  intercepted the other day,   the state government has suggested an investigation by the National Investigation Agency  into the case  owing to its international ramifications.

Additional chief secretary Nalini Netto sent a letter in this regard to the Union Home Ministry on the basis of a recommendation of   state police chief T.P. Senkumar. A report on the preliminary findings of the police has also been  forwarded to the centre.

The state police and the Coast Guard suspect an attempt at drug  or human trafficking in the episode.

The officials  of Iran consul on Tuesday contacted city police commissioner H. Venkatesh and enquired about the incident.

There was no response from the Pakistan embassy so far even as the external affairs department has already brought it to the notice of both the governments.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala told the Assembly that there was no sign  of fishing activities in the boat and that the presence of satellite phone and mobile phones added  to the mystery. The trawler was intercepted following an alert from the RAW.  

Owing to the international ramifications and limitations of the state police, a probe by the NIA was being sought, he said.

Vizhinjam circle inspector Stewart Keeller will seek  the custody of the 12 members, including five suspected Pakistan nationals, who were remanded in judicial custody on Monday.

The  Thuraya satellite phone and other materials recovered from the trawler were sent for forensic lab examination.

Coast Guard sources  denied the reports that certain materials were thrown out along with the net from the trawler.