The body of fisherman, A. Sekar (27) of Thoppuvalasai in Ramanathapuram district, who was killed in a firing by security personnel on board the US Naval ship Rappahannock in Dubai on July 16, arrived here on Wednesday evening en route to his native village.
A. Sekar (27) was working for a fishing company in Dubai. The incident took place near Jabel Ali port in Dubai. Three other fishermen were injured in the firing.
The body was flown in here from Dubai by an Air India Express flight. After the completion of Customs formalities, the body, accompanied by K. Muthusamy, brother-in-law of the deceased, was sent by road on a government hearse to his native village.
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A team of government officials, led by N. Sakthivel, Revenue Divisional Officer, Tiruchi, T.V. Samy, Assistant Director of Fisheries, Pudukottai, and T. Mohanasundaram, Joint Director of Health, Tiruchi, was present to ensure the smooth transit of the body.
An Inspector from the Fisheries Department and a couple of assistants deputed by the Health Department accompanied the body to Thoppuvalasai. None of the family members of Sekar or fishermen representatives came to the airport.
Mr. Muthusamy, also a fisherman, told media persons that the injured fishermen were undergoing treatment in a Dubai hospital.
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Mr. Muthusamy has been working for a fishing company in Dubai for the past 11 months. He was on another fishing boat when the incident took place.
Though he did not perceive any threat to the safety of Indian fishermen working in Dubai, he, however, felt that it would be better if steps were taken to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
The Indian Consulate in Dubai was supportive and extended all help for the quick transport of the body, he said.