Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Sep 17: No information is available about six fishermen, who went missing in a boat tragedy on Thursday near the estuary here. Vincent, who survived miraculously, is recovering in Wenlock Hospital.

On Friday, the Coastguard conducted search operations with the help of a boat and light aircraft, specially indented from Kochi for this purpose.  The fishermen also conducted widespread search for the missing fishermen at various points. Panambur police, who have registered a case, too are searching for the missing fishermen.

In a meeting of fishermen organizations in the city on Friday, leaders expressed anger at the reluctance of New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) to allow entry of fishing boats even in crisis situations, giving rise to loss of lives and property in the bargain. They reminded NMPT that they had sacrificed their lands for the port in the first place, and the port is now rejecting their pleas to allow inside, without considering the fact that they are in dire straits. They pointed out that the fishermen area allowed entry into other ports. A delegation of fishermen then met NMPT chairman, Tamilvanan, and held discussions.

After detailed discussions, NMPT management said it will allow the boats in crisis to enter the port area within 15 to 20 minutes, once they contact one of the hotlines provided to them, ie., 9741875428, 0824-2407428 or VHF channel 12 and 16. Tamilvanan held that the causes for earlier tragedies were lack of communication and delay in obtaining permission. He said that NMPT has to exercise utmost caution because of security issues concerned with the port, which handled large quantity of oil and LPG. During the meeting, Mohan Bengre, president of Trawl Boats Fishermen’s Association threatened to hold a peaceful protest in front of the port by 1,200 boats, if NMPT fails to agree to come to their rescue.

Karnataka Purse Seine Fishermen’s Association honorary president, Umesh T Karkera, president, Navin Karkera, Karnataka Fishermen’s Development Corporation chairman, Nitin Kumar, and various fishermen leaders, apart from officials of Central India Security Force and NMPT were present.