Chief Minister, Ministers Visit Families of Missing Fishermen; Visit on 11th Day Amid Criticisms

Thiruvananthapuram: The Chief Minister and other ministers visited the homes of fishermen who went missing at sea. Chief Minister V D Satheesan, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and Fisheries Minister V E Abdul Gafoor arrived on the 11th day since the fishermen went missing.

The families of the missing fishermen had reacted emotionally over the delay in the search and alleged negligence. Fishermen's organisations had also raised strong protests against the government. Allegations were also raised that even the Fisheries Minister had failed to intervene in the matter and that there was no coordination in the rescue operation.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and Fisheries Minister V E Abdul Gafoor had visited John's house this morning. The Chief Minister followed them and met the family. He later assessed matters related to the rescue operation.

Meanwhile, the family expressed displeasure over the Chief Minister's earlier remarks. Jiji, John's daughter, said the Chief Minister's remarks had hurt the family. She demanded that the Chief Minister apologise, saying that a person holding a responsible position should not make remarks that hurt a section of the people. The family also said priority should now be given to the rescue operation rather than visits.

Amid widespread criticism over the incident, the Chief Minister had also responded that fishermen going missing at sea was not a new occurrence and that several fishermen had gone missing during the previous government's tenure as well.

Search operations are currently continuing for John, who went missing from Vizhinjam, Shijin, who went missing from Muthalapozhi, and Gautham, who went missing from Neendakara. The Indian Navy's INS Kalpeni is conducting search operations at Vizhinjam and Muthalapozhi. The Coast Guard is continuing the search for Gautham at Neendakara.

Meanwhile, the families of the missing fishermen had alleged from the beginning that there was no coordination in the search and that the rescue operation had been delayed. The delay in announcing that a search operation involving a scuba team would be conducted had also led to protests.