Seeking to buy peace with the agitated fishermen after the alleged firing on fishermen on Monday, officials of the Mandapam station of Indian Coast Guard held talks with fishermen leaders and expressed regret for whatever happened.
A day after the marine police registered FIR against the Coast Guard for the alleged firing, the officials invited fishermen leaders to the Coast Guard station at Mandapam near here on Wednesday and offered to maintain cordial relations with them.
Stating that they were yet to ascertain what exactly had happened on the high seas on the fateful day, the officials, led by Station Commandant (in-charge) Ankur and Assistant Station Commandant Raju Sankar, expressed regret for whatever happened, N.J. Bose, fishermen leader, said.
Later in the evening, the officials, accompanied by a woman doctor, visited the injured at the hospital and enquired about their condition.
Reciprocating the gesture, a section of fishermen leaders wanted to call off the protest, but another section of leaders opposed it. As there was difference of opinion, the leaders decided to meet on Thursday and decide the next course of action.
