Police arrest 102 Thai fishermen

PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: One hundred and two Thai fishermen are in police custody in Kota Waringin Barat district for illegal fishing in Indonesian waters last March 30 and April 3, a police spokesman said here Monday.

Chief information officer of the Central Kalimantan police office, Maj. Erman, was quoted by Antara as saying the police were processing the alleged offenses under applicable laws and regulations. Several fishermen were charged with forgery of travel documents, and their dossiers would soon be forwarded to the public prosecutors' office.

According to Erman, the capture of the fishermen and their seven fishing boats was the largest successful operation of its kind.

The boats, now at the Kumai Port, are among 14 fishing vessels caught around Karimata Strait, Bawal Island, and Sambar Bay in Central Kalimantan.