Boat With AK-47s Found: A suspicious boat with an AK-47 rifle and other weapons has been found in the sea off the Maharashtra coast in Raigad. A few days before the Ganesh festival, there is a security crisis.
Three AK-47s and 10 boxes of ammunition were recovered from an empty boat off the Raigad coast of Maharashtra. The police gave this information on Thursday morning. Security has been beefed up in and around Harihareshwar beach and officials are on high alert. Boats and weapons have been found just a day before the festival of Janmashtami.
The local police told ANI that a lifeboat was also found (at Bharadkhol) and both were empty. “The Coast Guard and Maharashtra Maritime Board have been informed. Police is taking necessary action,” an unidentified cop told ANI.
The authorities have started questioning but have denied the terror angle for the time being.
The boat was found about 200 km from Mumbai. It was first noticed by the local people of the area and then informed the police about the location of the boat.
“As per the preliminary information, some boats carrying weapons and documents were found at Harihareshwar and Bharadkhol of Shrivardhan in Raigad. The local police is investigating (the case). I have demanded the Chief Minister (Eknath Shinde) and Deputy Chief Minister (Devendra Fadnavis) to immediately appoint a special team of ATS (Anti-Terrorist Squad) or (a) state agency (for investigation),” MLA Aditi Tatkare said.
AK-47s Found in Maharashtra
Nationalist Congress Party leader Tatkare also told that the weapons were found a few days before festivals like Dahi Handi, which are due on Friday.
According to unidentified officials quoted by news agency PTI, the crew members of this particular boat were rescued off the Oman coast in June.
Police said that it is possible that the boat slowly moved to the Raigad coast.
Visuals shared by ANI show that a white powerboat appears to be drifting offshore at some distance. A small crowd can be seen gathering on the beach.
Maharashtra Terror Scare
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said three AK-47s, a 16-metre-long boat with bullets and other weapons were found in a damaged condition by the fishermen near Harihareshwar beach in Raigad.
Raigad MLA Aditi Tatkare said that she has requested the Chief Minister of Maharashtra to conduct a special inquiry into the incident.
She also said that the incident is a major security threat as it comes a day before a big festival.
“Tomorrow is Dahi Handi, Ganeshotsav is just 10 days away. People come here during these festivals. Safety is an important issue,” Ms Tatkare told reporters.
Some locals spotted the boat, which had no crew members, and was located 190 km from Mumbai, and alerted the security agencies.
Raigad Superintendent of Police Ashok Dudhe and other senior officers reached the spot and searched the boat.
Police said the boat had come to the Raigad coast while floating.
Officials said the destroyed weapons were found in the boat.
Three AK-47 rifles and some bullets were found on the boat and the police are investigating further.
Security has been tightened in the surrounding areas and police are on high alert.
