Kochi: A fishing boat that could contain nearly 260 migrants, including women and children, may be heading to New Zealand, police said on Monday.
The boat, which is carrying people from New Delhi and Tamil Nadu, left Munambam harbour in Kerala on January 12, two officers involved in the case told Reuters.
An individual from New Delhi arrested in connection with the investigation, Prabhu Dhandapani, told police the boat was heading to New Zealand, according to both officers.
Police have recovered more than 70 bags left behind by the migrants, as well as around 20 identification documents, officer VG Ravindran said.
"The bags are full of dry goods and clothes, suggesting they were preparing for a long journey," said officer MJ Sojan.
"The people and boat are missing somewhere in the sea. Many Indian agencies including the coastguard are trying to locate the boat."
For the migrants to reach New Zealand, they would need to travel more than 7,000 miles through some of the roughest seas in the world. Cyclones and storms are common in the straits between Indonesia and Australia, the most likely route for the boat.
A spokesman for New Zealand's department of immigration was not immediately available for comment.
Australian border agency on look out for the boat
The Australian immigration and border security agency will look out for the boat. The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) has ordered the Australian Border Force to spot the vessel that has both Indian and Sri Lankan immigrants after Indian agencies made an informal request.
Another batch of 75 illegal immigrants had left Munambam two months ago, said intelligence sources.
Prabhu Dandavani has revealed that Java, Indonesia, is the hub of the racket’s activities. The small islands off Java are used as a pit stop on the long journey. The refugees then make it to Australia or New Zealand in freight ships. While Sri Lankans use their own passports, Rohingyas are given fake Malaysian documents. Lankans who have driving licenses and those ready to work in apple orchards and dairy farms get easily employed.
If the DIBP catch the illegal immigrants crossing their borders, they will end up spending their lives in rehabilitation centres that are pretty much open jails. They are sent to Manus Islands on Papua New Guinea or Nauru where food, shelter and medical attention are given until they agree to return to their homelands. They cannot find jobs or move to another place.
Though these camps are frequently stricken by deaths from contagious diseases, they remain largely unknown to the outside world. Journalists now have restricted access to these camps after the intervention of UN and human rights panels. But US$ 8,000 (Rs 5.7 lakh) has to be paid for a visit.
The decision was made after 250 people died crossing borders in a boat in December 2011. Another 200 died in 2012.