Udupi: Former Udupi MLA and Lok Sabha Candidate from Congress-JD(S) alliance from Udupi-Chikmagalur constituency, Pramod madhwaraj on Friday claimed that the fishermen onboard Tribhuja Suvarna were killed after a Indian Navy boat collided with it. He blamed the centre for the incident and for keeping the truth away from the people while calling for an high-level investigation led by retired Supreme Court Judge.
He made the claims while speaking to reporters at the Sai Radha Resort in Muloor during his visit to the resort to meet CM HD Kumaraswamy.
“I said the same thing earlier, I stand on my claims. Indian Navy’s vessel collided with the fishing boat and as a result of the collision the fishermen died. A detailed investigation should be conducted in this case” he said while blaming the BJP of playing politics over the missing fishermen.
“Four months back, a fishing boat that sailed into sea for fishing from Malpe disappears mysteriously. Four months after I said that Indian Navy’s INS Cochin vessel collided with the fishing boat, today my claims have come true as the Navy have now found its wreck” he added.
“No fishing boat can mysteriously disappear like Suvarna Tribhuja unless there is any cyclone or weather related issues. If there are any engine problem or technical snag, fishermen will have enough time to escape the situation with the help of life jackets and also to get in touch with authorities through mobile phone or wireless communication. But the mysterious disappearance and instant sinking of the boat proves that it collided with INS Cochin Navy ship” the former fisheries minister added.
He also stressed that the Navy should be held accountable and answerable for killing the seven fishermen of the state. “I being former fisheries minister and coming from a fishermen family demand for a judicial investigation into the matter. The investigation should be led by retired judge of Supreme Court” he demanded.
“If the Navy ship had hit the fishing boat, there was no need to keep the truth away from the people of the state and the family members of the fishermen. Now when the LS Polls in the state are done with, they have made the claims of finding the wrecks of the boat. BJP MLA reached to the family members of the fishermen and played politics over the issue by assuring them of help when they already knew the truth. I condemn such politics” Madhawraj told reporters.
“I have already spoken to G Shankar, Fishermen’s family, leaders of fishermen community and CM. At least 6 Lakh rupees will be sanctioned as a compensation to the families of bereaved fishermen. There are no hopes for the fishermen being alive now. So I have demanded for Rs 10 lakh compensation for the families of all seven fishermen” he said.
Madhawaraj further noted that the CM has already discussed the issue with fisheries minister and action will be initiated in the regard (Compensation).
“This was a blunder done by Navy and BJP at the centre, but the BJP kept making fun of CM and District In-charge minister for political gains. Today they stand exposed”
“It was a mass killing of fishermen. I once again call for judicial investigation in this matter by a retired Supreme Court judge” he concluded.
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Mysuru: Six people, including three children, drowned in the Cauvery river near Arkeshwara Temple in KR Nagar taluk of Mysuru district on Sunday.
The deceased have been identified as Fatima (42) from Udayagiri in Mysuru; Mohammed Yasin (23), an autorickshaw driver from SBR Layout in Bengaluru; his wife Neha Kausar (19) from the same area; Uzeir (5) from Udayagiri, Mysuru; Emma Aiman (13) from Kadugondanahalli, Bengaluru; and Afif Ahmed (13) from KR Nagar.
According to The New Indian Express, the victims had visited a nearby dargah. While playing in the river, one person slipped into the water, and others entered it in an attempt to rescue them, leading to multiple drownings.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed grief and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for each of the victims’ families.
Mysuru Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladangi and KR Nagar police visited the spot and have begun an investigation.
