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New Delhi bans vessels from transiting piracy prone area

New Delhi bans vessels from transiting piracy prone area

New Delhi: India has banned all motorised vessels from sailing south or west of a line between Salalah and the Maldives in a bid to stem the tide of pirate attacks. The latest incident was the hijacking by Somali pirates of at least seven vessels with about a 100 Indian crew on board.
All motorised vessels were being banned in the danger-prone area in view of the pirates hijacking vessels and using them to sail into outer seas to attack large vessels, he said.
The order from the Directorate-General of Shipping clearly stated that hijacked dhows may be used by the pirates to carry out attacks on merchant vessels. The order issued Tuesday said, ''All sailing vessels registered in India are prohibited with immediate effect from plying south or west of the line joining Salalah and Male."
The order also warned of penal action in case of a violation. [01/04/10]