The family of A. Sekar of Thoppuvalasai in Ramanathapuram district, who was killed in unprovoked firing by U.S. warship ‘Rappahannock’ at a fishing boat Jabel Ali, off the Dubai coast on Tuesday, has demanded compensation from the Untied States government.
Speaking over phone from Krishnapuram in Ramanathapuram district, K. Sekar, uncle of the victim, said that the personnel of U.S. Navy responsible for firing on innocents should be punished.
The family of Sekar had lost its sole bread winner in the firing, for which there should be due compensation from the U.S. government.
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Friends of Sekar, who called the family members from Dubai, informed them that it would take a couple of days for the body to be flown to India.
Mr. K. Sekar insisted that the U.S. government offer compensation to the family, failing which they would even go to the extent of not accepting the body as a mark of protest.
The poor fisherman’s family was not in a position to fight a foreign government and hence, the Union and State governments should ensure that adequate compensation was awarded.
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A cheque for Rs. 5 lakh was handed over to the family by Revenue officials on behalf of the State government.
Collector K. Nanthakumar, who called on the family members on Wednesday evening, informed them that Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had taken up the issue with the Union government.
He promised to bring to the notice of the government the family’s request to provide employment to Sekar’s sister.