Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jan 4: The fishermen of the district have come out openly against the reported violent behaviour shown by and harassment and extortion being resorted to, by the officials deputed to verify the identity of the fishermen. The system put into place in the backdrop of the terrorist strike in Mumbai since the last about a month, is being misused by the officials particularly working in the state of  Goa and Devagadh region of Maharashtra, they have said.

Malpe Fishermen Association president Hiriyanna T Kidiyoor has alleged, that the personnel belonging to the Coast Guard and the Coastal Security Force are engaged in assaulting and robbing of the fishermen. He has complained about the sufferings the fishermen of the region are made to go through in the hands of the greedy officials, to the district superintendent of police, Coastal Security Force, state home minister local MLA and fisheries department officials.

The fishermen of Malpe have been issued smart cards, even before the other ports could fall in line. The local fishermen are taking with them the smart cards issued to them, for proving their identities when confronted. But, the officers and staff functioning in the Goa and Devagadh region refuse to accept the cards. They resort to destroy the smart cards when presented, Kidiyoor charged.

The squads which approach the fishing boats in speed boats speak to the fishermen in English and demand for the production of the identity cards and registration certificates of the boats. Even when all the documents are produced, they demand payment of money ranging between Rs 5,000 to 10,000. On refusal to pay up, they threaten the fishermen at gun point, tear down the registration certificates and identity cards besides robbing from them quality fish catches like pomphrets, prawns etc., he said.

"The law-abiding fishermen have kept quiet. Violent incidents would have occurred if they had lost their cool. We doubt as to whether the verification personnel are the officials of government departments or gangs out to rob the fishermen," he said.

Hiriyanna said that the Association has received about 50 written complaints about incidents of the above nature. The home ministers, MLA and others have promised to investigate the issue and take corrective measures, he said.