Cyclone Ockhi: Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit visits cyclone-hit areas in Kanyakumari district

KANYAKUMARI: Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit today assured the families of missing fishermen in the district that steps would be taken to trace all those missing after cyclone 'Ockhi' hit the state coast.

The governor, who undertook a visit of the affected areas here, said a census of missing fishermen and affected families was being taken by the officials who were accompanying him.

Relief also would be definitely be provided to them, he added.

Local fishermen claimed that as many as 1,013 fishermen are still missing.

Purohit visited Colachel village where met a group of fishermen in a wedding hall and listened to their grievances.

He also visited the Baghavathi Amman temple and offered prayers early this morning.

Yesterday, Purohit had held discussions with top district officials in Tirunelveli, weeks after a similar exercise in Coimbatore drew flak from the DMK and others, who claimed that it amounted to an interference in the state's rights.

DMK working president M K Stalin today claimed that a state governor does not have the authority to tour districts and inspect work for people like ministers.

Meanwhile, over 5,000 fishermen staged a rail roko here seeking steps to trace all the missing fishermen leading to cancellation of seven trains including Tiruchi-Thiruvananthapuram Intercity express.

They also demanded a compensation of Rs 20 lakh for those who died due to the cyclone.