KOCHI: Even as agencies are still unable to track down the boat that left Munambom with illegal immigrants, police have detained a person who reportedly had plans to board the boat.According to official sources, a person named Prabhu Dandapani has been detained and is being questioned. Sources said that he told the investigating officers that his wife and child boarded the boat but he couldn’t due to some last-minute complications. However, senior officers refused to confirm the claim.Sources said Dandapani has claimed that nearly 100 people boarded the boat and many had to drop the travel plans due to space constraints.“We have a team working in Delhi as part of the case. Suspects are being questioned both in Delhi and Kerala. However, no one has been brought to Kerala from Delhi and there is no definitive proof yet to pin the crime on anyone yet,” said ASP M J Sojan, the investigating officer.Rural SP Rahul R Nair also claimed that the police were on track. “We have received a fair idea about what has happened but it is too early to reveal anything,” he told reporters on Saturday.Sources said police suspect that the detained person could be an agent.“Dandapani says that he failed to board the boat due to some last-minute complications. Primary evidences show that he encouraged other persons to make the journey as well. Also, at least 20 people who were set to board the boat had to drop the plans,” said a source.Sources said that from interrogation, it has been revealed that at least Rs1.5 lakh was paid by each passenger, exempting children, to board the boat.However, Charles George of the fishermen’s union said that it was highly unlikely that so many people boarded a fishing boat.“The boat can carry over 20 tonnes. However, the store on the bottom portion is not suitable for people to occupy as it is very congested. Hence, the top portion would have to be used which would affect the balance of the boat making it a very dangerous journey,” said George.The boat left the Kerala coast with the illegal immigrants, reportedly to Australia , on January 12.“The boat on an average is covering 180 nautical miles every day. If we multiply it with six, the number of days they have travelled, the area to be searched for them becomes huge. Hence, all aircraft in air and floating ships have been asked to undergo search operations for the boat,” said an official with the Press Information Bureau-defence wing.

Stay updated with all the Latest Kochi headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.