Pramod Writes to President, PM and DM Demanding Proper Inquiry into Suvarna Tribuja Boat Incident
Udupi: Former Minister Pramod Madhwaraj has written a letter to the President, Prime Minister, Defense Minister and Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Karnataka, demanding a proper inquiry into the case of the missing crew of the fishing boat Suvarna Tribuja at Malpe, Udupi. The boat had seven fishermen on-board when it went missing on 15th December 2018.
In the letter, Pramod has stated, “You may be aware that the fishing boat Suvarna Tribuja of Malpe, Udupi (with seven fishermen on-board) went missing on 15th December 2018 and the same was reported to the police station on 22nd December 2018. Meanwhile, INS Kochi was damaged on December 15th/December 16th, 2018 in the waters of Maharashtra, at the same location and time when this fishing boat went missing. The reply received from the Field Commanding Officer of INS Kadamba (Karnataka Naval Area, Karwar) in response to the queries of the Udupi District Police, has been enclosed.
The Defense Minister-Nirmala Sitharaman, Member of Parliament Shobha Karandlaje, and local BJP MLAs have been consistently reiterating – since the past four to five months – that the Navy and Coastguard are putting in all their efforts to find the seven missing fishermen and the missing boat-Suvarna Tribuja. I had, from time to time, expressed my suspicion that the fishing boat had been hit by INS Kochi and the same has not been reported nor admitted till date by the Indian Navy.
Suddenly on 1st May 2019, the Navy announces that the missing boat has been identified underwater in the same location where INS Kochi had met with an accident. One of the BJP MLAs was on-board during the search operations. This leads to further suspicion of attempting to hush up the entire issue until the Lok Sabha elections get over.
I would like the government to clarify whether the missing fishing boat was hit by INS Kochi or not. If NOT, then I demand an inquiry into the case by a retired Supreme Court judge to clear the reason behind the suspected deaths of the fishermen and the reason that caused the boat to sink.
If INS Kochi is really responsible for the accident, then I demand that the Government of India or the Indian Navy reimburse the cost of the missing boat (beyond the claimed insurance amount), and also sanction a compensation of Rs 25 lakhs to each of the families of the seven missing fishermen with immediate effect.
If my prayer is not heeded to, then I will be forced to move the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and I will demand a proper inquiry, action against wrongdoers and suitable compensation to the missing fishermen and the missing boat.”