VASCO
An argument between crew on board a fishing trawler out at sea came to a violent end on Thursday afternoon when one person was murdered and two persons, including the murder accused, went missing at sea.
The police have requested the Coast Guard to undertake search and rescue operations and have registered a murder case based on the complaint by the brother of the decreased crew member.
According to sources, the incident took place on board a fishing trawler ‘Dhan Laxmi 24’ around 22 nautical miles off the Goa harbour.
"One fisherman, Pratap Solanki from Gujarat, complained that one crew member Umesh Basumatary Swmla (33) from Assam allegedly assaulted the Tandel Mahendrabhai Solanki (33) of Gujarat with a hammer during fishing activity at sea, causing him head injuries and leading to his death.
Swmla is also alleged to have assaulted three other crew, Kishorbhai Vegal (33), Yogesh Sikotria (27) and Ajay Panjori (25), all from Gujarat and all three fell in the sea.
Two crew, Kishorbhai Vegal and Yogesh Sikotria, were rescued by other fishing trawlers but Ajay Panjori could not be traced.
However as the other fishing trawlers began coming closer, the accused, Umesh Basumatary Swmla, jumped into the sea with fear and could not be traced.
Harbour Coastal Security police have registered an offence against the accused Swmla under Sections 302 and 324 on charges of committing the murder and assaulting the crew of Dhan Laxmi Trawler.
A letter has been sent to the District Commander, Indian Coast Guard with request to conduct search and rescue operations of the missing crew member, Ajay Velajibhai Panjari and the accused Umesh Basumatary Swmla. Further investigation is underway.
