Hotline with Pakistan to deal with fishermen problem: DG Coast Guard

Panaji, Apr 28 (UNI) Negotiations are underway with the Pakistani counterparts for setting up of a ''hotline'' service to sort out the problems of traditional fishermen arrested eitherway for crossing borders.

Talking to mediapersons here today, Director General of Indian Coast Guard Dr.P.Paleri said India was to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pakistan for establishing the hotline soon.

At the sametime, he said,the Indian Coast Guard authorities had planned to launch a community outreach programme to educate the traditional fishermen about the country's boundaries so that they did not cross the boundaries while fishing in the high seas.

About strengthening the Coast Guard, Dr.Paleri said the ICG would have 127 vessels and 45 aircrafts by the current financial year. The institution was short of 40 per cent manpower, but working with dedication althrough, he added.

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