The mystery surrounding the Karachi-bound ship, intercepted on the Hooghly with arms and ammunition used by multi-national troops in a United Nations peacekeeping mission, was resolved on Sunday with the UN authorities confirming the consignment.
The vessel would now set sail for Karachi after unloading here the cargo meant for the Nepal Army. The customs officials received a communication from the New York-based Movement Control officials of the UN mission confirming the consignment that included rocket launchers, smoke bombs and anti-aircraft guns, apart from other sophisticated arms and ammunition, police sources said. The letter from the UN office was received in response to queries made by the customs authorities seeking detailed information about the Liberia-registered Aegean Glory, which was brought to the Kolkata dock on Sunday afternoon amid tight security. Customs sources said the UN letter also apologised for the inconvenience to the authorities and admitted that the confusion was created as the ship did not have proper documentation. The missive also said the authorities here had also not been properly intimated. “Following the letter, it has been decided not to carry out any search operation in the vessel,” the sources said. Earlier, it was decided that the customs officials will open the container cargo to ascertain its contents and tally the weapons in the container with the list made by the security officials after interrogation of the captain of the ship. “If any discrepancies are found, legal action will be taken against the owner of the ship and the crew members,” state police chief said. —IANS