KARACHI, Aug 21: Various NGOs have demanded a high-level judicial inquiry into the causes that led to the grounding of the Greek oil tanker MT Tasman Spirit off the coast of Karachi.

The demand was made at a meeting, organized by the Joint Action Committee of different NGOs, held at the office of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Thursday.

The meeting also demanded that besides fixing responsibility on those involved, it may also be found out that why the salvage, cleaning up and other operations had been launched late by many days which, it observed, resulted in spillage of crude oil in a huge quantity and causing colossal damage to the seawater, beaches, marine life and environment.

The NGOs called for damages to be paid to the affected people in general, and the fishermen in particular. They suggested that a relief fund be established to provide assistance to the poor fishermen.

They highlighted the plight of a large number of fishermen who did not have boats. The poor fishermen, who fish in three/four-feet deep water near Sheerin Jinnah Colony, Clifton and Seaview beaches without a boat and carrying nets on their shoulders.

The NGOs condemned police for harassing those selling fish in markets. The police highhandedness, they said, had seriously been affecting the the poor people who earn their livelihood by selling fish on bicycles and vending shops in various markets.

They urged media, especially TV channels, not to create scare using the oil slick and contamination of the fish and other seafood of a certain zone. They pointed out that much of the catch came from the deep-sea trawlers and was not contaminated.

The participants criticized government agencies for hiding facts about the mishap and spillage in the first stage and regretted that even now, a clear picture was not being presented to the people which could enable them realize gravity of the situation.

Stressing the need for a flow of complete information about the incident and its repercussions, they said that the effects of the oil slick would continue to affect life in the coastal belt for a long period.

They also suggested that technically qualified people should head the organizations like KPT, PNSC, Sindh Environmental Protection Agency, etc., so that they could act quickly in such a situation.

RAPE CASES: The meeting also condemned the growing incidents of rape and demanded that culprits be arrested and put to trial immediately.