On Monday, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) thanked Indian authorities at Andaman and Nicobar Islands for taking care of 142 Rohingyas, whose boat was intercepted by coastal security agencies near Shaheed Dweep a day ago.
“UNHCR thanks the Indian Coast Guard and the authorities for saving desperate human lives. This noble act of humanity brings relief to those in distress,” Babar Baloch, spokesperson for Asia and the Pacific, told PTI.
“There are reports of deaths (referring to dangerous sea routes taken by the Rohingyas in the last couple of years). We express our sadness and regret the lives lost during this ordeal. UNHCR stands ready to to extend support as needed to those disembarked,” Baloch said.
The boat left from Bangladesh around 14-15 days ago and was on its way to Indonesia. On Sunday morning, the Port Blair police control room received a call from the local intelligence about suspicious boat movement near Shaheed Dweep, and multiple coastal security agencies swung into action and located it, officials had said; according to PTI.
The boat was towed to Shaheed Dweep by the marine police. All of them were taken to Port Blair and kept in a temporary shelter by the local administration, police said.
