THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader VD Satheesan on Thursday demanded a comprehensive inquiry into the fraud in the Fisheries Department under the guise of the sale of fish procured from fishermen

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"Fraud worth several crores has taken place. The government is trying to save the culprits by putting the blame on only two employees. Only the scam in the Kollam district has come to light so far. It is learnt that similar scams have taken place in other districts. A thorough investigation is needed. The real culprits must be brought to justice," Satheesan said.

Satheesan also alleged that those who were appointed through the backdoor by the CPM leaders were behind the scam. "It must be doubted whether the CPM state leadership was aware of the scam. There is mystery over the fact that neither the government nor the fisheries minister has responded to the allegations. Despite receiving a complaint about the scam, the police refused to register a case due to pressure from top CPM leaders," the opposition leader said.

"It is inhumane for the CPM leaders to cheat the fisher families when they are starving and unable to go to sea. The CPM leaders made extensive backdoor appointments in Matsyafed. Those who were hired through backdoor appointments are the ones handling transactions worth crores of rupees in Matsyafed. It is fraudulent to import fish from neighbouring states under the false pretence of procuring fish from fishermen. CPM leaders have involvement in this," he added.