Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Dec 26: Former fisheries minister Pramod Madhwaraj has urged the officials of the coast guard force to save the lives of eight fishermen who have gone missing during deep sea fishing along with their boat 'Suvarna Tribhuja'.

Pramod called superintendent of police (SP) Laxman Nimbargi to the main office of the coast guard and had discussion in the presence of the fishermen. Pramod urged the officials to consider the matter seriously and appealed to the additional secretary of defence department, Rajneesh, defence ministry and CIG of coast guard and urged them to take necessary action from all angles.

As there is a chance of these fishermen being taken as hostages, the former minister instructed the SPs of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurga to form a special investigation team and take necessary action to trace the missing persons and the boat.

MLA Raghupati Bhat also holds meeting

MLA Raghupati Bhat also had a meeting with the fishermen on Tuesday, December 25 with regards to this incident and said that helicopters are searching in deep sea to trace the missing fishermen. In addition, Bhat said that the matter is relayed to all departments including state government, Goa police and central government.

Central minister Sadananda Gowda has helped in searching the missing boat through helicopters. In addition, he has assured to investigate the same in coastal area of Maharashtra also.