Thirteen Indian crew members of the Bahamian-based oil tanker MT Strovolos have asked for union help against the alleged detention on board the ship by Indonesian authorities.

Their union, Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI), wrote to the Ministry of Navigation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, demanding diplomatic efforts to help Indian sailors. At present, the vessel is anchored at Batam anchorage in Indonesia.

According to a letter sent by the Indian crew to the FSUI, the ship was about to be released on September 24. But on September 25, Indonesian Maritime Police boarded Strovolos to arrest the entire crew for theft of petroleum products, which is State Property.

“Fear for life”

They showed the crew’s red corner notice issued by Interpol as requested by the Cambodian government against the crew members. “The crew members are very scared for life. They are mentally and physically tired from their extended stay on the ship, ”FSUI Secretary General Manoj Yadav said. Activity area.

The crew also told the union that they had no contact or connection with the Cambodian government. “The crew members experience mental trauma as they face numerous investigations against them by the Indonesian Navy, Coast Guard and Police.

“As the crew have already completed their contract and were waiting to return home, this incident happened on board, which has nothing to do with the crew; if charges exist, the primary responsibility will lie with the charter and the other principal authority of the vessel, ”Yadav said in his letter to Minister of the Navy Sarbanand Sonowal. He asked the minister to help them with all possible legal support as well as repatriation to their hometowns. “As we have already requested the Indian Ambassador in Jakarta via our email dated September 25 for immediate assistance, we also ask your office to intervene in such a sensitive matter for the benefit of our brethren. sailors, “Yadav said in a statement. the letter.

In a separate letter, CITU Secretary General Tapan Sen told Foreign Minister S Jaishankar that family members of the crew are worried and concerned about the plight of the sailors. “In the event of fault or violation, the company (World Tanker Management) and the charterers (KrisEnergy) must be held responsible for the disorder since the vessel has moved according to the instructions of the company and the charterers only, and the members of crew are subject to detention and harassment and may also be imprisoned, ”he said in the letter, and called on Jaishankar to intervene appropriately for the rescue of Indian sailors detained on board and d ” ensure their repatriation to India.