Bhatkal, August 25: After a day-long search by local residents the body of Maulavi Mohammed Ismail Ruknuddin (35), who had drowned off the Jaali beach in Bhatkal was recovered on Friday evening.
Meanwhile, frustrated residents of Bhatkal staged a protested in front of the office of the Coastal Security Police (CSP) on Friday accusing the agency of not responding to emergency calls.
The protesters said CSP continued its indifferent attitude, despite two cases of drowning were reported in Bhatkal taluk in the last two days.
Even though the Government had sanctioned a high-speed boat to the CSP for rescue operations, the CSP did not respond to the distress call for two hours on Thursday when Ruknuddin was drowned on Thursday. Timely intervention could have saved the youth, the protesters said.
According to statistics, as many as 951 people had drowned in Bhatkal in past 12 years.
However, the CSP officials justified their attitude saying that they did not have permission to use high-speed boats during monsoon.
Later, the residents went to the house of Inayatulla Shabandari, a JD(S) leader, and urged him to take up the matter with the higher authorities of the Coastal Security Police. The protesters urged the social organisations to help buy boats for rescue operations. Some Non-Resident Indians, who were part of the protests, said they were ready to contribute for this.
Also Read: Bhatkal: Imaam of Jamia Masjid drowns off Jaali beach
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