Over 2,800 rescued, search ops continuing: Jayakumar

Talking to the media, after a group of fishermen representatives met Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and sought his help to rescue the missing fishermen, minister Jayakumar explained the measures by the navy and air force to save the fishermen.

The rescued fishermen had been kept in camps in Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat, he said and added that the state government is taking measures to bring them back to Tamil Nadu. A team of officials had gone to all the states to arrange for the return of the fishermen. The officials had been sent with required cash to distribute to the fishermen for food and diesel.

In Kerala, a total of 152 fishermen are staying in relief camps, he said.

“As many as 283 fishermen had landed in Lakshadweep islands in 20 boats. There are 975 rescued fishermen in relief camps in Karnataka. Nearly 836 fishermen had reached the shores of Maharashtra,” the minister said. He added that 625 of the stranded fishermen are safe in Gujarat.

The team of officials which reached those states also assured that 301 motorised boats and 62 smaller boats are also safe.

The Chief Minister had conducted a meeting with officials to arrange for the safe return of the fishermen, the minister said. Palaniswami had directed the officials to provide around 1,000 litres of free diesel for the boats depending on the distance to be travelled by them to return to Tamil Nadu. Besides, they were also given Rs 2,000 each for food, Jayakumar said and assured that they would reach their native villages at the earliest.

The navy, coast guard and air force had consented to search beyond 200 nautical miles to trace those who had been carried away to longer distances. The Chief Minister is also reviewing the daily search operations, the Fisheries minister said adding that appropriate compensation would be given for the damaged boats.