Eight fishermen of Rameswaram have gone missing at sea and anxious relatives of these ill-fated fishermen took to the road near Rameswaram bus stand on Wednesday, demanding authorities to step up search operations and rescue them at the earliest.
Fisher folks blocking a road near Rameswaram bus stand on Wednesday demanding to step up rescue operations
Thiruchirapalli:
Earlier, the fishermen had left for Cuddalore by bus on August 29 to purchase fibre country craft. After having bought it, the group started sailing from Cuddalore on Tuesday. But the country craft could not withstand the strong gale winds and ultimately sank into the sea around noon on Wednesday.
However, among the 10, two fishermen identified as M Senthil and R Kalidas caught hold of plastic fuel can and were afloat. They were rescued by a Thanjavur Mallipattinam boat owned by one Venkatesan and brought to Sethubavachathiram shore and were handed over to the Coastal Security Group police. They are undergoing treatment in a Mallipattinam hospital.
Meanwhile, Fisheries Department officials said the group had ventured into the sea despite warning of strong winds and rough seas. Permit tokens had also not been provided to them.
Another reason they had not taken prior permission was because they were going to use the newly purchased boat for ‘purse seine fishing’, which is prohibited along the East Coast of TN. Boats need prior permission and clearance from authorities for legal sea voyage and anchorage.
Those missing were identified as N Muniandi (47), A Ranjith Kumar (23), G Madhan (26), A Langeshwaran (20), G Tharaikudiyan (28), R Gandhi Kumar (23) M Senthil Kumar (31), S Muneeshwaran (24), R Umakanth (19), R Kalidas (29).
Indian Coast Guard sources at Mandapam station said search operations were under way with the aid of two patrol vessels and aerial survey was also on to trace the missing fishermen.
Sources said 10 fishermen all from Natarajapuram, onboard a motorized fibre boat sank off Mallipattinam coast.
Earlier, the fishermen had left for Cuddalore by bus on August 29 to purchase fibre country craft. After having bought it, the group started sailing from Cuddalore on Tuesday. But the country craft could not withstand the strong gale winds and ultimately sank into the sea around noon on Wednesday.
However, among the 10, two fishermen identified as M Senthil and R Kalidas caught hold of plastic fuel can and were afloat. They were rescued by a Thanjavur Mallipattinam boat owned by one Venkatesan and brought to Sethubavachathiram shore and were handed over to the Coastal Security Group police. They are undergoing treatment in a Mallipattinam hospital.
Meanwhile, Fisheries Department officials said the group had ventured into the sea despite warning of strong winds and rough seas. Permit tokens had also not been provided to them.
Another reason they had not taken prior permission was because they were going to use the newly purchased boat for ‘purse seine fishing’, which is prohibited along the East Coast of TN. Boats need prior permission and clearance from authorities for legal sea voyage and anchorage.
Those missing were identified as N Muniandi (47), A Ranjith Kumar (23), G Madhan (26), A Langeshwaran (20), G Tharaikudiyan (28), R Gandhi Kumar (23) M Senthil Kumar (31), S Muneeshwaran (24), R Umakanth (19), R Kalidas (29).
Indian Coast Guard sources at Mandapam station said search operations were under way with the aid of two patrol vessels and aerial survey was also on to trace the missing fishermen.