The Goa government today expressed its helplessness to act against the ICG reportedly responsible for the offshore accident involving its patrol vessel and a fishing trawler, claiming the state does not have jurisdiction in the high seas.
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told reporters today that the state police had registered a FIR in connection with the accident that left one dead, five still missing, and others injured, out of a crew of 23.
The fishing trawler 'Sea Messiah' sank 13 nautical miles off Agonda shore in South Goa yesterday after it was hit by Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Vaibhav during the wee hours.
"I am afraid, we cannot take any action against the Indian Coast guard ship because it is outside the state jurisdiction," Parrikar said, adding, the state's jurisdiction is only upto 11 nautical miles from the shore.
Parrikar said soon after the incident, he had discussed the matter with ICG officers who have promised prompt action.
"They (coast guard) have instituted a Board of Inquiry into the matter. They seem to be in a mood to take action," the chief minister reacted.
He said the state government will compensate the fishermen and the trawler operator, affected due to the collision.
"This budget itself we have two schemes - one in the form of a corpus and another, as insurance for fishermen affected due to such incidents," he said.
Earlier during the day, ICG Goa Region Commander S D Bhanot told PTI that a Board of Inquiry has already been instituted in the matter, identifying ICG Vaibhav as the ship involved in the collision.
