OLD GOA
Five canoes were reduced to ashes in a fire at Cacra beach in the wee hours of Monday.
Panch Sandip Sawant informed The Goan that the fire was noticed at around 4 am by one of the fishermen who had woken up early to prepare for a fishing trip.
“He immediately started pouring water on the fire in an attempt to douse it and the fire brigade was also informed about the same. However, by that time the canoes were reduced to ashes,” Sawant said.
Sawant however could not say whether the fire was a deliberate one or an accident.
“At the moment, it is difficult to state whether the incident was deliberate or accidental,” Sawant said.
On the loss incurred, Sawant said it should run into lakhs of rupees as besides the canoes, the fishing nets were also reduced to ashes.
“A big-sized canoe itself costs around Rs 2 lakh while a small one costs less. Besides the cost of the fishing nets range between Rs 10,000 and Rs 50,000,” Sawant informed.
The Santa Cruz panchayat authorities led by Sarpanch Jennifer Oliveira and Deputy Sarpanch Domnic Pereira visited the Cacra beach to take stock of the incident which reduced five canoes to ashes.
Later, speaking to reporters, Pereira informed that eight panchas of the ruling panel have decided to donate their one-month’s salary to the affected fishermen.
Expressing grief over the incident, Pereira said that the livelihood of the fishermen has been affected due to the fire incident.
“Therefore, the eight panchas of the ruling panel have decided to immediately donate their one-month’s salary to the affected fishermen. Though the amount is small as compared to the loss incurred, we are trying to alleviate their suffering in whatever way possible,” Pereira informed.
Further, the dy sarpanch said the panchayat will also write to various authorities like the Collector, Fisheries Department, etc to provide immediate compensation to the affected fishermen,” he stated while demanding that the police should probe whether the fire was deliberate.
When questioned by The Goan whether the panchayat would allocate funds to come to the aid of those affected by calamities like fires, tree falls, etc, Pereira said that the same would be done during the preparation of the budget.
