Indian Navy Sailors Mistaken for Migrants by UK Protesters
An anti-immigration group in Plymouth, UK, reported Indian naval personnel to police, believing them to be migrants, leading to online mockery.
Indian Navy sailors participating in a training exercise in Britain were mistakenly identified as migrants by anti-immigration protesters in Plymouth. The group, Devon and Cornwall Patriot Defence, posted on social media about "migrants" on the seafront, prompting reports to Devon and Cornwall Police.
The organization shared photos of the sailors, described as "Asian males," stating they were raising concerns among locals who believed they might be migrants. The post also alleged unverified incidents of people being followed, photos taken, burglaries, and assaults in the area.
It later transpired that the individuals were servicemen from the Indian frigate INS Trishul, which was in port for Exercise KONKAN-26, a joint maritime training exercise with the Royal Navy. The sailors were reportedly sightseeing while on leave.
Police confirmed they received a report from two teenage girls who felt uneasy by the presence of approximately 20 men. Officers stated there was no interaction and no harm came to the girls. Clarifications were made that the men were not wearing balaclavas, though some may have worn snoods. Devon and Cornwall Police acknowledged social media commentary and community concerns, stating that no criminal offenses had been identified based on witness accounts and CCTV footage at the time, but that any new reports would be investigated.
Exercise KONKAN-26 is an annual bilateral maritime exercise aimed at enhancing interoperability and mutual understanding between the Indian and UK navies. The exercise involves both a harbour phase, including professional interactions and cultural engagements, and a sea phase encompassing complex maritime operational drills. Captain Iain Richie of HMS Naval Port Devonport welcomed INS Trishul, calling it a "great pleasure to host the ship."
The incident in Plymouth echoes similar instances on the UK's south coast, where anti-migrant protests have occurred. In one notable case, demonstrators protested outside a hotel they believed was housing asylum seekers, only to discover members of Pakistan's under-19 cricket team were staying there.