In mid-sea firing last Monday night, a fisherman sustained bullet injuries following the Coast Guard personnel fired bullets at a Dhamara bound fishing trawler while it was catching fish illegally after assembling with other trawlers at the prohibited zone off Gahirmatha coast.
The Coast Guard personnel of Paradip, while intensifying sea patrolling at the sanctuary, on Monday night came across about two dozens of fishing trawlers catching fish illegally by assembling near Satabhaya. They chased the fishing trawlers and warned them of leaving the prohibited area or face consequence. But the trespassers did not listen and went on catching fish, forcing the patrolling guards to open fire.
As a result, a fisherman of Dhamara-based fishing trawler “Deepika” sustained bullet injuries. The Coast Guard personnel later seized the Dhamara-based trawler and arrested other eight fishermen. Besides, 34 quintals of fish catch, fish nets, fish finder, GPS system and other fishing equipment were also seized from their possession, Kendrapara SP Satish Kumar Gajavhiye said.
The injured fisherman was identified as Ranjit Patra alias Paltu (36) of Jaydurgapatna of Dhamara marine police station. He was shifted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital. The arrested fishermen were identified as Chittaranjan Mirdha, Maheswaar Mallick, lalmohan Mandal, Satyan Mandal, Janmajey Patra of Talachua area in Kendrapara, Janmajay Majhi, Nandan Nayak and Dayanidhi Mallick of Bansada locality of Bhadrak district. They were produced before the JMFC court of Pattamundai where they were remanded in jail custody.