SHIP OWNERS SHOULD BE AUTHORIZED TO CARRY ARMS TO FACE PIRATES
Shantaram Naik M.P today demanded in the Rajya Sabha that ship owners should be permitted to carry weapons for self defends to face the armed pirates when they climb the ships.
Making a special mention in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, Mr Naik said hijacking of ships in high seas has become the order of the day and that Somalian pirates are turning successful despite the mighty world powers tying their best to arrest such attempts.
Mr Naik said that Naval forces of India as also of other centuries are doing their best to prevent such hijacking or rescue the sailors after they are hijacked but, Navy should be given more powers to tackle the problems of hijacking.
Mr. Naik also said that world powers have to put in more efforts to thwart such criminal activities or else, even the terrorists will resort to piracy as one of the methods of terrorizing world community.
He said that at any given time hundred of sailors are found to be in the custody of pirates.
Mr. Naik said one ship by name M.V. Sinin has been hijacked on 12th February at about 13.00 GMT off the Coast of Oman along with 22 crew members, including nine Indians. For first three days, Mr. Naik said, pirates did not even establish contacts with the owners of the ship, and therefore, Directorate General of Shipping were not able to get any information from the owners.
It is learnt that they have now established contacts with the owners of the ship M/S Irano Hind Shipping Company Ltd., of Tehran, Iran, Mr. Naik said.
The ship lost control with their vessel since 12th February. The vessel was en route from Fujaira to Singapore loaded with approximately 52000 metric tones of iron ore, Mr. Naik added.
Shantaram Naik
