‘HM’s Remarks on Clues of Missing Fishermen Far from Truth’ – Yashpal Suvarna
Udupi: The DK and Udupi district fish federation president Yashpal Suvarna said that the statement of the State Home minister on the clues of the missing fishermen is far from the truth. The fishing boat, Suvarna Tribhuja with seven fishermen on board went missing off the Goa coast on December 15.
Speaking to the media persons on January 11, Yashpal said, “The state and union government has put all efforts to trace the missing fishermen. Udupi district SP Laxman Nimbargi has taken a special interest in the case and has formed various investigation teams along with the police and fishermen from Karnataka and sent them to Maharastra and Goa as part of the search operations. But unfortunately, no clues of the missing fishermen have been found. The search operations will be carried out in Goa, Ratnagiri, Devgad and Sindhudurg as well”, he said.
Yashpal Suvarna further said, “A section of media telecasted the State Home minister M B Patil’s statement that he had received some clues on the whereabouts of the missing fishermen is far from the truth. If the boat had submerged, the splinters would have been floating and the oil spillage would have been noticed by the fishing boats or merchant vessels in the deep sea. Each deep sea fishing boat carries 5,000 and 8,000 liters of diesel,” Yashpal informed.
Yashpal also said, “Two days ago our delegation met prime minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and submitted a request to start a high-level investigation into the mysterious disappearance of the deep sea trawler along with its crew of seven fishermen and to ensure their location and safe return. The Prime minister has agreed to use high-level technology to trace the missing fishermen. On Thursday the state cabinet meeting was held and it was decided to hold a meeting with the Maharastra Home minister along with the state police and fishermen leaders”.
“The Fishing industry provides a major revenue in the nation’s development. After this incident, deep sea fishing has totally stopped. About 1,100 deep sea fishing boats have remained anchored at the Malpe harbour since a fortnight incurring a huge loss to the fishermen community. With the fishermen nervous of going out for deep sea fishing, the livelihood of many along Malpe coast has been hit. The daily business from deep sea fishing in Malpe harbour is Rs 5 crore to Rs 6 crore. From Saturday onwards we have decided to start going for deep sea fishing”, he said.