Thai trawlers 'attack Indian fishermen'

There are regular fishing disputes

Indian patrol boats have been sent to an area of the Bay of Bengal where fishermen reported coming under fire from Thai trawlers.

The fishermen say they were shot at by crew members on a number of Thai vessels to try to frighten them away from waters about 150 kilometres south of Calcutta.

Border Security Force boats... have reached the general area and Coast Guard air support and hovercraft are near the site

Alpan Bandopadhyay, local administrator

There are no reports of any injuries and the Thai authorities have yet to respond to the allegations.

Correspondents say there are regular disputes between Thai and Indian fishermen in parts of the Bay of Bengal.

The Indian fishermen said the trawlers, which they identified as being from Thailand, were carrying about 200 people and that the fishermen were forced to flee.

A West Bengal minister of state, Kanti Ganguly, said that, on reaching shore, the fishermen lodged a complaint with the police.

Ongoing problem

They said the incident took place near Kendodeep island on Saturday, Alpan Bandopadhyay, a local administrator told Reuters.

"Border Security Force boats... have reached the general area and coastguard air support and hovercraft are near the site," Mr Bandopadhyay said.

An Indian coastguard official said: "There is normal fishing activity today. So far we have not spotted any Thai fishing trawlers".

Mr Ganguly said the Bay of Bengal was a prime fishing area and consequently was frequently infiltrated by Thai fishermen.

"It has been a nagging problem with the Indian fishermen for over a decade.

"Thais are obstructing the trawlers of the Indian fishermen and forcing them to leave the Indian waters. West Bengal is worried by this," he said.