Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Feb 25: A delegation of fishermen led by local MLA, K Raghupati Bhat, met union defence minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, at Bengaluru on Sunday, February 24 and urged her to rescue and bring back the seven fishermen who went missing under mysterious circumstances after leaving Malpe in their fishing boat, 'Suvarna Tribhuja' for undertaking fishing activity.
The minister, who pledged solidarity with the fishermen, said that she would personally arrive at Malpe along with officials of the Indian Navy before March 5, and hold meeting with the fishermen. She also promised to undertake steps or launch operation as may be found necessary in the interests of the missing fishermen.
On this occasion, Raghupati Bhat contacted Pejavar Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji over phone and requested him to speak to the defence minister. The Swamiji urged the minister to see that her department does everything in its command to rescue the missing fishermen at the earliest.
The delegation comprised of Fish Marketting Federation president, Yashpal Suvarna, Malpe Fishermen's Association president, Satish Kunder, All India Fishermen's Forum office bearers, Dayanand Suvarna, Karunakar Salian, Shashidhar Tingalaya, Gopal R K and Harish Kunder, as well as family members of the missing fishermen, Ganesh Kotian, Pramod Salian and Pandu Mogera.