Fishing Trawler Driver’s Death: Coast Guard Assures Compensation To Family

Paradip: The marine boat owners’ associations of Balasore and Paradip, who had gheroed the Coast Guard office here following the death of a fisherman, withdrew their agitation on Saturday night after the Coast Guard officials assured adequate compensation and other benefits to the family of the deceased.

Mayadhar Mallick of Naranapur village under Simulia police limits in Balasore district was killed in a firing by Coast Guard personnel off Paradip coast on Friday night.

Talking to mediapersons, president of the BalasoreMarine Boat Owners’ Association Badal Das said the Coast Guard authorities assured a job to the son of the deceased after he attains the age of 18. Besides, they also promised adequate compensation to the bereaved family.

“Apart from this, the Coast Guard officials also promised to take action against the personnel for firing at the fishing trawler resulting in the death of Mallick,” Das added.

Talking to mediapersons on Saturday, DIG, Coast Guard (Paradip), Rajesh Makwana had said that two Coast Guard vessels were on a patrol along the Odisha coast on Friday night when they detected a suspicious trawler at around 9.20 pm. As the personnel tried to intercept the trawler, it sped away. At this, the Coast Guard personnel chased the trawler and asked its crew members to stop. “They also warned the crew members through loudspeakers and radio. They also threw searchlights at the trawler indicating the crew members to stop. But they did not pay heed to their warning and instead intentionally rammed the trawler into our vessel causing damage. After failing in their attempts, the Coast Guard personnel opened fire on the trawler,” he said.

The Coast Guard DIG had also said that a probe into the incident has been ordered.