Three years after 'no more' report, parents still wait for their missing son

[email protected] (CD Network)
June 13, 2012

Kasargod, June 13: More than three years after the mysterious disappearance of a Kasargod based sailor on board a merchant vessel, a committee has been formed to press the authorities to launch a high level enquiry into issue.

A meeting held here on Tuesday has decided to formally commence their struggle demanding justice for the parents of Pradeep Raj (26) – who allegedly jumped off the Panama-registered MV El Eltanin, which was sailing towards China from the United States three years ago– on June 23 through a public meeting.

raj

Pradeep Raj

Continued wait

The poor elderly couple- Nagesha Chettiyar and his wife- are under shock since last three years, have been running from pillar to post to find out what happened to their bread winner son.

They have been knocking on all possible doors - right from those of their local legislator to those of senior ministers in the state and the central government - and have also written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for help.

Residing in a small house at Kudlu near here, they are shedding tears quietly recalling their last telephone conversations with Raj. “He had called us on April 6, 2009 just before the ship set sail from Panama to China with a 22-member crew that included 13 Indians. He again called us, and also his sister who lives in Dubai, when the ship reached Hawaii on April 24. He sounded very cheerful. He was planning to do a course to become a Fifth Engineer. He was a brilliant student who passed his diploma course (mechanical) with distinction,” recalls Chettiyar.

parents

Grief stricken parents of Pradeep Raj

A few days later, i.e. on May 2 and 3, they received two telegrams from his recruiting agency, Mumbai-based Marlow Navigation India Pvt Ltd, saying that Raj is missing. Subsequently, in the last week of June in the same year, they received a report saying that Pradeep is no more.

“The report is vague. It says Pradeep jumped into the water. It says there are no witnesses,” says a grief-stricken Chettiyar couple who are not ready to believe that their son is dead.

Though the couple have requested the Shipping Minister and Overseas Indian Affairs Minister, among others, to take the initiative to find the whereabouts of their son, there has been no breakthrough in the case so far.

“I was informed that the government had asked the company to re-investigate the matter. However, our wait has still continued,” Chettiyar said. “Because of the anxiety, we don't get sleep at night. My wife is suffering from stress and is taking sleeping pills.”


Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
May 8,2024

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru North police have apprehended a minor in connection with alleged voyeurism incident reported in a private medical college in Mangaluru. 

DCP (Law and order) Sidharth Goyal said that the minor was produced before JJ Board as per due procedure. The incident came to light when a mobile phone was found in women's washroom in the college. 

The mobile-phone was discovered as it was ringing even when no one was in the toilet by the security guard of the college. 

Investigations revealed that the mobile phone had been strategically placed in the restroom. As a result, a case has been registered under north police station.

Further scrutiny into the matter uncovered the identity of the accused, a minor male aged 17, who had gained access to the college premises under the guise of being a patient. Following his apprehension, the accused was presented before the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Board in adherence to legal protocols.

The phone has been seized and a case has been booked under IPC section 354 (C), said the DCP.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
May 12,2024

TVserial.jpg

In an intriguing turn of events, authorities have levied a fine against an actress for breaching traffic regulations depicted within a television serial.

In the 14th episode of the popular serial ‘Seetha Raama’ a Kannada language drama series airing on Zee Kannada, a scene featuring two individuals riding a scooter caught the attention of viewers. While the rider adhered to safety protocols by wearing a helmet, the actress on the pillion did not.

Jayaprakash Yekkur, a vigilant resident of Mangaluru, took swift notice of this discrepancy and promptly lodged a complaint with the Mangaluru City Police Commissioner. Yekkur underscored the concern that such portrayals of traffic violations by actors and actresses could potentially convey misleading messages to viewers, particularly those who are impressionable. He urged authorities to take decisive legal action against the actress, the serial’s director, and the broadcasting channel.

In response to Yekkur’s complaint, the Commissioner of Police forwarded the matter to the Mangaluru Traffic Police station. Subsequently, notices were issued to the owner of the two-wheeler featured in the scene and the serial’s director. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the scene had been filmed in Nandini Layout, Bengaluru, and was referred to the Rajajinagar police station for further scrutiny.

On May 10, after thorough inquiries, the Rajajinagar police station imposed a fine of Rs 500 on both the actress and the owner of the two-wheeler. Furthermore, the production manager of the serial committed to adhering strictly to traffic regulations in future episodes.

Expressing his contentment with the resolution, Jayaprakash Yekkur commented that the prompt response from the police, coupled with the imposition of a fine, serves as a valuable lesson and contributes significantly to enhancing public awareness.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
May 19,2024

bhatraghupati.jpg

Mangaluru: Disgruntled BJP leader and former MLA K Raghupathi Bhat, who is contesting the legislative council election as an independent candidate from the South West Graduates constituency, said the BJP has adopted the “godfather culture” of the Congress.

Bhat told reporters here on Saturday, that he has not tried to appease any senior BJP leaders to get a party ticket to contest the MLC poll.

“I am contesting and seeking votes based on my achievements. My contesting may have a negative impact on the BJP. However, I want to go back to the BJP after winning this election,” Bhat said, and refused to answer the actual reason for the denial of a BJP ticket to him.

“I have no idea who played from behind that I was denied a ticket for the MLC poll.

Earlier, the BJP had a culture of selecting candidates for MLA and MLC polls by seeking the opinion of party workers at the booth level, followed by discussions at mandal and district levels.

Now the situation is such that even if one person’s name was sent from the state, the final list will be different. The godfather culture of the Congress has stretched into our party too. Only those who appease leaders get a ticket in the BJP. However, I have not appeased any leader. I believe in the support of party workers, and with this confidence I am contesting the election,” Bhat said.

To a query, Bhat said that he has not contacted by BJP leaders after deciding to contest the MLC poll.

“I have already requested all leaders that I should get the party’s Form B to contest the MLC poll from the South West Graduates constituency. I have told them that I am also contesting as an independent candidate on behalf of the BJP. The ultimate aim of my contesting the election is that senior leaders should know the injustice that honest party workers are facing in the BJP,” he said.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.