Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Jan 8: The government has directed all its forces to search for the missing fishermen; however in spite of that, not even one clue has been obtained, said state Animal Husbandry and Fisheries minister Venkatarao Nadagouda.
Expressing his helplessness on tracing the seven fishermen on boat Suvarna Tribhuja, who reportedly went untraceable on December 15 off the coast of Goa, the minister said that protest is not a solution, even though he is not against the ones who are protesting.
“The government has taken all possible steps it could. Instead of protesting, if the fishermen leaders gave us ideas and solutions, we are open on incorporating them. We have even conducted search operations with helicopters. Now that they are untraceable should I jump to the sea to trace them?” he questioned.
Nadagouda said that he is visiting the houses of fishermen in Udupi, Malpe and Kumta.
“A letter has also been written to the Central government. The state government understands the panic of the fishing community and the family of the missing fishermen. Even the government has the same concern and is putting all efforts to get clues,” he said.
He added that the search operations conducted did not show any traces of oil spill or debris to conclude that the boat has met with a mishap.
He requested the fishermen community to cooperate with the government and provide solutions to trace the missing fishermen.