Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Kerala Woman Protests Over Missing Son After Fishing Boat Capsizes
A young fisherman named Gautam went out on a fishing boat in Kerala, India, with his father, his grandfather, and other people.
The boat turned over in the sea near a place called Neendakara on July 31.
His father and grandfather died in the accident, and Gautam disappeared in the water.
The other people on the boat were rescued, but no one could find Gautam.
His mother became very worried and sad.
She went to the police station and said she would not leave until a minister came in person to promise that the search would be made stronger.
The Fisheries Minister said the search was still going on and that they would try every possible way to find him.
Another minister, Suresh Gopi, called her and said he had talked to the police and would help.
The mother wants the leaders to do everything they can to bring her son back home.
Gautam went fishing with 13 others, including his father Radhakrishnan and grandfather Rajeevan, when the boat capsized near Neendakara on July 31.
Both father Radhakrishnan and grandfather Rajeevan died in the incident, while Gautam has been missing since then and the remaining people on the boat were rescued.
Gautam's mother protested outside the Kollam coastal police station on Thursday, demanding intensified search operations and an assurance from the Fisheries Minister.
Fisheries Minister V E Abdul Gafoor said search operations were ongoing, directions had been issued to intensify them, and all possible methods would be explored.
Union Minister Suresh Gopi told the woman by phone that he had spoken to the Kollam Commissioner of Police, would speak to the Coast Guard, and would reach Kollam on Friday, urging her to return home.
- Who
- Gautam, the missing fisherman; his mother, who protested; his father Radhakrishnan and grandfather Rajeevan, who died; Fisheries Minister V E Abdul Gafoor; and Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi.
- What
- A fishing boat capsized, leaving Gautam missing at sea, and his mother protested at a police station demanding intensified search operations and a personal assurance from the Fisheries Minister.
- When
- The boat capsized near Neendakara on July 31, and the mother's protest took place on Thursday, with Suresh Gopi saying he would reach Kollam on Friday.
- Where
- Near Neendakara in Kollam, Kerala; the protest was held outside the Kollam coastal police station.
- Why
- Gautam went missing after the boat capsized, and his mother wanted authorities to intensify search operations and give her an assurance that everything possible would be done.
Protesting mother
Government officials
Search efforts
Protesting mother
The mother said Fisheries officials told her certain search methods were not used because the family had not demanded them, and she felt their response showed they were trying to sideline her.
Government officials
Fisheries Minister V E Abdul Gafoor said search operations were going on, directions had been issued to intensify them, and all possible methods would be explored to find the missing fisherman.
Personal assurance
Protesting mother
The mother said she would not leave the area, saying 'I will not leave this place or will die here,' until the Fisheries Minister comes in person and gives her an assurance.
Government officials
Union Minister Suresh Gopi urged her to return home so that no 'social problem', like crowding, is created there, while promising that all possible steps would be taken and that he would reach Kollam on Friday.
- Missing fisherman
- Gautam
- Deceased in incident
- Father Radhakrishnan and grandfather Rajeevan
- Passengers on boat
- Gautam and 13 others
- Boat capsized
- July 31
- Location
- Near Neendakara, Kollam, Kerala
- Protest location
- Kollam coastal police station
- Fisheries Minister
- V E Abdul Gafoor
- Union Minister of State
- Suresh Gopi (Petroleum, Natural Gas and Tourism)