A fisherman was killed in police firing in deep sea off the Gahirmatha coast on Sunday. The deceased was identified as Akbar Ali Khan of Rajnagar area.
In order to drive some fishermen away from the ‘no fishing zone’ off the Gahirmatha coast, the patrolling personnel allegedly fired bullets at the trespassers, killing one of them.
According to Rajnagar Mangrove (Forest) and Wildlife division DFO Kedar Kumar Swain, the patrolling personnel comprising Forest and police personnel, while moving on two boats, Bulbul and Upasana, in the sea came across more than a dozen of mechanised trawlers, belonging to Baleswar district’s Balaramagadi in the ‘no fishing zone’ near Satabhaya.
Soon the patrolling personnel chased them but the fishermen in the trawlers began to attack the two patrolling boats. The Bulbul was reportedly damaged on its back as the fishing trawlers hit it from behind. The fishermen even managed to take possession of the Upasana. Seeing that the fishermen were overpowering them, the patrolling personnel opened fire at the attackers and managed to escape from the spot in the Bulbul, leaving the Upasana behind.
It may be noted that the Forest department has imposed a ban on fishing in the sanctuary area in order to protect Olive Ridley sea turtles from fishing trawlers during the mating and breeding season from November 1 to May 3 next.