The aggrieved family of Ravindran (42), a fisherman of Thoothukudi, who was missing since cyclone Ockhi struck Kanyakumari, approached the Collectorate here on Monday and sought the intervention of district administration to trace him or bring back his body.
The family was in grief after a fellow fisherman, S. Jagan (42), the cyclone survivor, broke the news of Ravindran's death. Maneka, daughter of Ravindran, said her father left Thoothukudi on November 27 along with a few other fishermen for fishing off Colachel coast by a boat bearing registration numbers of Kerala government.
Even after several days, his body remains untraceable and hence the family demanded the authorities to hand over the body at the earliest. They also demanded compensation of ₹ 20 lakh to Ravindran's family and also provide a government job to one of the family members. Sahayaraj, a relative of Ravindran, submitted a petition to Collector N. Venkatesh.
The Collector said DNA tests were being carried out to confirm identities of those dead.
A crew of eight sailors onboard a sailing vessel were saved, R. Thamiyan, the vessel owner said while demanding compensation of ₹ 1 crore for his sunken vessel during cyclone Ockhi.
A. Selvaraj, president, Punnaikayal Village Administrative Committee in a petition to the Collector, said around 800 houses in low-lying areas at the village were damaged after high tide waters entered these houses on November 30.
The affected households were accommodated for four days in a marriage hall being maintained by the panchayat and demanded housing facilities for them. The officials should inspect the affected areas and recommend the government for housing facilities to them.
For the last 10 days, the fishermen did not engage in their routine at sea and hence, he sought adequate compensation for them.