Pirates belonged to syndicate 8212; Coast Guard

Startling facts came to light during the preliminary investigations dispelling the earlier belief that the pirates were a bunch of desperados. The master of the hijacked ship was a certified officer having obtained his master8217;s certificate from Belize, a country in Central America.

The Chief Engineer too had passed his marine engineering examination from a reputed university.

He was responsible for keeping the hijacked ship8217;s engine room in order.DIG Mahajan added that thepirates will be handed over to the police on Sunday and that they will be tried and sentenced in India. The accused will be tried under the provision of United Nation8217;s Convention on Piracy Section 100-107.

Meanwhile, Alondra Rainbow was towed into Mumbai harbour8217;s other anchorage late this evening. The ship was still sinking by the rear side due to flooding in the main engine room.

Sources revealed that Coast Guard personnel manning Alondra Rainbow are pumping water round the clock to prevent the ship from sinking. Two tugs have been positioned near the vessel in case of emergency. Even as the Mumbai police is getting ready to take custody of the pirates, Intelligence Bureau officers were seen boarding CGS Veera to interrogate the captive inmates late this evening.