Fishermen on 'Suvarna Tribhuja' died after collision with Indian Navy's ship: Pramod Madhwaraj
Former fisheries minister blamed BJP for playing politics over the issues and hiding truth
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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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
