Post-cyclone, 2000 fishermen yet to reach base

Even as Coast Guard authorities today said there was no word on fishermen gone missing in the recent cyclone in Arabian Sea, a fisherman’s association claimed that at least 2,000 fishermen have gone missing from Jakhau area of Kutch district.

‘‘Several boats carrying fishermen have not reached their base. The Coast Guard has to intensify its search operation and press in more boats,’’ said Veljibhai Masani, president of the Indian Fishermen’s Association.

Masani has informed Coast Guard authorities and has also contacted his counterpart in Pakistan to be on the lookout if any Indian fisherman has been arrested by the Pakistani Navy or Coast Guard officials.