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Why M V Kuber can't sail back to Gujarat now

Updated on: 19 February,2009 07:48 AM IST |
J.Dey |

The vessel used by Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists to land in the city was to set sail for Porbandar on Monday, but it didn't have port clearance certificates

The vessel used by Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists to land in the city was to set sail for Porbandar on Monday, but it didn't have port clearance certificates

M V Kuber, which was to set sail for home in Porbandar on Monday afternoon, has been detained at the Malet Bunder harbour abutting Ferry Wharf for lack of port clearance certificates.

Kuber was the vessel used by the 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists to enter Indian waters on November 23 before the 26/11 attacks. Three seafarers had sailed on Sunday morning from Porbandar, where Kuber is registered, to steer the ship back. The vessel was refuelled and provisions loaded on board to prepare for the return journey.

Kuber's skipper Amarsinh Solanki was taken captive and later killed by terrorist Mohammad Ajmal Qasab. His body was dumped inside the engine room when the vessel neared the Mumbai coast. Four other crewmembers are still missing and feared to be dead.

Arvind Khorian (50), who is a member of Kuber's manning crew, said, "I don't know how many more days I will have to spend on this blood-stained vessel. It is very scary on board and we are running out of provisions." Kuber's owner, Vinodbhai Masani, plans to sell the vessel, which is 10 years old.

Senior Inspector N Mulani of the Yellow Gate police told MiD DAY that Kuber will not be allowed to sail without obtaining proper documents, which usually takes a week. The terror-stricken crew, in the meantime, has covered the registration number and name of the ship to prevent misguided attacks.

This is mainly because the vessel is sailing out of Mumbai without an escort, police sources informed.

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