15 years on, kin of missing fishermen still await compensation

The Hindu

6 days ago

Over 15 years after the tragic disappearance of eight fishermen from Kanniyakumari district during Cyclone Phyan in 2009, their families are still awaiting compensation from the government. The affected families say they too deserve relief assistance similar to which was extended to the families of the victims of Cyclone Ockhi in 2017.
The mechanised boat owned by J. Rebelon had ventured into the sea on November 11, 2009, and reportedly capsized in the Kerala coastal waters during Cyclone Phyan. While three fishermen on board the boat survived with injuries, eight others went missing.
They were identified as S. Mariarajan, S. Dasan, D. Romans, A. Anish, P. Stalin, G. Jimmy Kuttan, all from Thoothoor, J. Sessadimai from Vallavilai and I. John Clittous from Poothurai.
The families of five fishermen were provided with ₹2 lakh compensation, each one lakh from Tamil Nadu Fishermen Welfare Board and relief under Group Accident Insurance Scheme. But the families of the remaining fishermen were provided with ₹1 lakh only, since they are not members of the welfare board.
However, the families of these fishermen are currently battling to get compensation from the government on a par with the relief given during Cyclone Ockhi.
Liba, daughter of Sessadimai, said, it had been over 15 years, but no compensation was provided by the government. 'They said death certificates could be issued after seven days. But even after obtaining the death certificate, the process is still on hold,' she added.
Ms. Liba highlighted that the government had declared Cyclone Okhi a natural disaster and provided compensation for the fishermen who went missing. 'This is also the same scenario, that these fishermen also went missing during the cyclone. The only difference is that it has not been declared a natural disaster,' she noted.
Asha, sister of Jimmy Kuttan, in her weeping voice said the compensation would be really helpful to the kin of the missing fishermen, as most of them were the earning members of their families. The death of her brother had affected the family, both financially and emotionally, and the family members were planning to sell their house in Thoothoor due to financial difficulties, she added.
An official from the Fisheries Department said they had obtained death certificates a few years ago and their petitions were currently under consideration.