The Fisheries Ministry does not know the reason why members of the Indian Coast Guard boarded Maldivian fishing boats inside Maldives Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam told the Parliament on Tuesday.
Responding to a question from Democrats' MP Imthiyaz Fahmy after he was summoned to Parliament, the Fisheries Minister said he would clarify the reason from the relevant ministries and provide an answer to the MP.
In his question, MP Imthiyaz wanted to clarify the reason for the Indian Coast Guard to board Maldivian fishing boats.
"I don't have the exact answer to your question. I will hopefully clarify why it happened, will clarify from the relevant ministries and I will hopefully share that information," Fisheries Minister Shiyam said.
Indian Coast Guard boarded fishing boats inside the Maldives Economic Zone (EEZ) north of Haa Alif and Haa Dhaal atolls on January 31 and February 1.
They boarded Asuruma-3, Niru-7 and Mahoara-3 boats. They boarded the boats, conducted raids and ordered the fishermen to follow their commands.
Videos posted on social media show the Indian military personnel, who appear to be the Indian Coast Guard, on board a Maldivian fishing boat while carrying weapons.
An Indian Coast Guard ship was also seen in the videos.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) rushed to the area when the incident was reported but the Indian Coast Guard had left by then. The MNDF later said they were patrolling the Maldivian waters.
The government officially sought an explanation from India. The government has not yet revealed whether India responded to the matter.
