The Kerala High Court was informed on Monday that a settlement had been arrived upon for the payment of compensation to the owner of the fishing boat, and the ten fishermen who were injured, in the collision between a cargo vessel and a fishing boat off the coast of Kochi.
As per the settlement, ₹1 crore would be paid to the boat owner, ₹5 lakh each to the fishermen who sustained minor injuries, and ₹15 lakh each to the two fishermen who sustained serious injuries.
The settlement would now be placed at a special adalat (court) to be held at the High Court on Friday.
Meanwhile, two daughters of Antony John Jesu Alexander, one of the two fishermen killed in the collision, filed a petition on Monday seeking a compensation of ₹140 crore.
The petition said the master of the foreign vessel was negligent and rash in navigating the vessel, resulting in the accident that had caused pollution and affected marine life.
The petition pointed out that heavy expenses were incurred by the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy fishermen, and fishing vessels involved in the search and rescue operations. The fine and compensation shall be given to the government for the welfare of the fishing community, the petition said.
