Seeking to buy peace with the agitated fishermen after the alleged firing on the high seas on Monday, officials attached to the Mandapam Station of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) held talks with fishermen leaders and expressed regret for whatever happened.
A day after the Marine Police of the Coastal Security Group registered an FIR against the ICG personnel for the alleged firing, Coast Guard officials invited fishermen leaders to their station on Wednesday and offered to maintain cordial relations with them.
Stating that they were yet to ascertain what exactly happened on the high seas on Monday, the officials, led by Station Commandant (in-charge) Ankur and Assistant Station Commandant Raju Sankar, expressed regret for whatever happened, N.J. Bose, a fishermen leader, said. The officials told them that the ICG would take action against its personnel, if necessary, after an enquiry. The officials suggested monthly meetings between them to foster better understanding.
In the evening, the officials, accompanied by a woman doctor, visited the injured fishermen – M. Pichai Arokiyadass and S. Johnson – at Rameswaram Government Hospital and enquired about their health condition. They also met the doctor at the hospital and enquired about the treatment being given to them.
Later, a section of fishermen leaders wanted to call off the protest demonstration scheduled for Thursday, but another section insisted on going ahead with the agitation. Finally, they decided not to stage the protest on Thursday.
