It has been over a year and half since this 57-year-old fisherman, L. Kalaiarasu, lost his boat during Operation Hamla, but he is yet to get any compensation. The FRP boat along with its engine sank in September 2015. Though he does not have his boat, Kalaiarasu is still repaying the loan that he took to purchase it.
“My boat was tied to a bigger boat. But, since the sea was rough, it sank a km from the coast,” recalls Kalaiarasu, who has been writing letters and visiting the Fisheries Department on a regular basis in hope that he would get ₹1 lakh he had spent on the purchasing the boat in 2012-13.
Though he had insured the boat which is in the name of his son, K. Arun Kumar, Kalaiarasu says he could not claim the amount as he is illiterate and depended on an official of the Fisheries department to do the paper work.
“He kept saying that he would take up my case soon and that I would get the compensation soon. My diesel subsidy book has been cancelled and my son and I now take a boat on rent whenever I need it. I am still repaying the loan on the boat,” says Kalaiarasu.
His boat was among the 12 that went to sea to assist in the Operation Hamla.
