Karwar: Demanding the authorities to expedite the process of tracing the fishermen, who have been missing since the last 21 days, fishermen of Karwar-Ankola Trawler Boats staged a protest at Baithkhol on Sunday.

The fishermen stayed away from fishing at the port to register their protest. They also burnt tyres at the Port Road to express their ire and raised slogans in support of their demand and against the State and Central governments. They also took out a protest march in Baithkhol area and alleged that the government were showing neglect in tracing the fishermen.

The protesters said that they did not want loan waiver or ‘free Bhagyas’ but wanted their seven fishermen back. They also installed a board reading this demand at the Baitkhol port area to draw the attention of the authorities. They said that they were not cowards to end their life but were brave people who fight against the odds in the sea and win.

Karwar-Ankola Trawler Boat Union, Baithkhol Port Rehabilitants Mechanised Boat Fishermen Cooperative Association, Baithkhol Harikantra Fishermen Welfare Association, Baithkhol Trawler Boat Owners Association also extended support to the protest. Fishermen leaders Chitrang Tandel, Umakanth Durgekar, Sulya Durgekar, Vinayak Harikantra, Sadanand Harikantra and others were present.