The boat, which had three AK-47 rifles, bullets and other weapons, was found near the Harihareshwar Beach in Raigad.
Mumbai: Days ahead of Dahi Handi and Ganesh Chaturthi, a suspicious yacht with AK-47 riffles and other weapons was found in the sea off the coast in Maharashtra’s Raigad.
Later, the Coast Guard informed the yacht had made a distress call on June.
The boat, which had three AK-47 rifles, bullets and other weapons, was found near the Harihareshwar Beach in Raigad. Local MLA Aditi Tatkare said she has requested Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for a special investigation in the incident.
Talking to the media, Tatkare added, “Tomorrow is Dahi Handi and Ganesh Chaturthi is just 10 days away. People come here (Raigad) during the festivals. Security is an important issue.”
The boat was spotted by locals who could not find any crew member. The location of the boat is around 190 km from Mumbai and the locals told the police about it.
Raigad Superintendent of Police Ashok Dudhe and other senior officials rushed to the spot and searched the boat. The police said the boat had come floating to the Raigad coast
Later, Coast Guard commander General Paramesh Sivamani said, “The yacht had made a distress call on June 26 and four of the occupants were rescued from Gulf of Oman. The yacht was travelling to the UK and had a flag of the United Kingdoms.”
He added, “The yacht has drifted to Harihareshwar and there are three AK series assault rifles and some small arms too. We have spoken to the master of the yacht. One security agency from Dubai has also called us to conform that same series of arms from their register are missing. These arms may have been used for protection of the crew.”
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “The boat belongs to an Australian citizen. The boat’s engine broke out in the sea, people were rescued by a Korean boat. It has now reached Harihareshwar beach. Keeping in mind the upcoming festive season, the police and the administration have been instructed to be prepared.”