Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jan 2: Fishermen association meeting was held at Malpe harbour on Wednesday, January 2.

"The fishermen association took a strong resolution to hold ‘Rasta Rokho’ protest on Sunday, January 6 demanding for the tracing of seven missing fishermen. All fishing-related activities will stop functioning. From December 23, the Persian and deep sea boats have returned to the Malpe harbour and stopped their activities too because of this incident. The fishermen of three districts of Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada will be participating in the protest. The fish traders, women fish sellers and all fishermen associations will join their hands. On that day, there will be no fishing activities and the association is going to call a one day holiday on January 6," said Satish Kunder, president of Fishermen association of Malpe.

Speaking at the public meeting, Satish Kunder said, "It is already 19 days after the boat and the men went missing, but the government is not showing much interest in solving the issue. We want that the people representatives, district in-charge minister, Chief Minister and state fisheries minister should come to us and ask for solution."

"As part of this protest, a mega Padayathra will be held from Malpe harbour to National Highway 66. This is right time to show our strength. The protest is for awakening the government and attract its attention towards this issue. This is to make the government realise as to how the government cannot run without the support of fishermen. We do not want to disturb the peace. The government should give prime priority to fishermen. It did not show any interest to address the condition of missing fishermen’s family. There is a necessity to get united," said Sathish.

Yashpal Suvarna, president of Fish Marketing Federation said, "The government is playing with the lives of fishermen. So far, no ministers have visited the missing fishermen's families. At least they could have met them. This is a warning to the government. There are around 3 lac of fishermen working in the three coastal districts of the state."

Yashpal gave a call for all the fishermen to get united to pressurize the government. He further said, "We have given three days’ time, but no development is seen in finding out the missing persons and the boat. Fishermen's silence becomes a problem now. The fishing activities will be stopped. The government should come to us. We will not go to meet the CM. We have already tried our best to get the attention towards this case. The government should provide security and protection to fishermen's lives."

Nithin Kumar, president of Mangaluru Fishermen Association said, "There is intelligence department, but why the government is not taking any action? Let it use digital technology to find out the spot, where the boat disappeared. Both the governments should work hand in hand."

The heads of different associations expressed their opinion, based on which, the association took the resolution.

Vinay Karkera, Anand karvi from Uppunda, BB Kanchan, Trawl boat association, Ramesh Kundar Gangolli, Raghuraj of Deap sea fishermen association, Baby, president of raw fish sellers’ women wing and others were present.