2 seized boats forcibly released after MEW office attacked

A group of people today forcibly released two fishing boats taken into custody by the Kerala government's Marine Enforcement Wing after attacking its office at nearby Vypin, police said.
The boats were taken into custody by the marine enforcement wing of the Fisheries Department during patrolling after they were found allegedly engaged in fishing of juvenile fish off Munambam area here yesterday evening, they said.
Kerala government has banned fishing of 14 varieties of fish off the coast in a bid to check depleted catch over the years.
Fisheries department officials alleged that a large group of people, led by boat owners, attacked the office at 4.30 AM today and released the vessels from their custody.

They said that two persons, including an assistant director and a policeman of the MEW were injured in the attack and had been hospitalised.
The group also allegedly destroyed files and office equipment, including computers and the Ocean Information System estabished in the fisheries centre at Vypin.
Police said they have launched a probe on the basis of the complaint lodged by fisheries officials.