Road blockade seeking rescue of missing fisherman, assistance for kin of deceased

A section of the residents of Pamban staged a road blockade on Tuesday demanding rescue of a fisherman who went missing in the sea while fishing on December 10.

As six fishermen from Pamban South sea area were fishing in the Gulf of Mannar in a country boat last week, Sarathkumar fell into the sea due to heavy winds. When Tyson, another fisherman on the boat, attempted to save him, he also fell into the sea.

Despite a search conducted by the others, Sarathkumar and Tyson could not be found. Upon receiving information, fellow fishermen carried out an intensive search in the sea, using their country boats.

On Tuesday, the body of Sarathkumar washed ashore on the second sandbar near Dhanushkodi. The Marine Police recovered the body and sent it to Rameswaram Government Hospital for a postmortem.

As the body of Tyson has not been found yet, the people of Pamban staged a road blockade in front of Pamban bus stand.

They demanded that Tyson be found immediately, and that a government job, along with a financial assistance of ₹20 lakh be given to the wife of Sarathkumar.

Police officials and Revenue Divisional Officer Mujibur Rahman held talks with the fishermen, and assured them that their demands would be taken to the State Government, following which they withdrew their protest and dispersed.

Due to the road blockade, traffic on Madurai-Rameswaram National Highway was affected for about an hour.