Paradip, Sept. 28: The state government has imposed a 72-hour ban on sea fishing ban starting tomorrow as part of an advisory issued by the Defence Research Development Organisation ahead of its missile tests.

This is the first time a ban is being imposed to ensure the safety of fishermen. They would be exposed, as the tests would be directed towards the deep sea, said Jagatsinghpur district collector Debraj Senapati. The ban will remain in force till October 1.

"The coast guard and state government agencies have jointly launched an awareness drive, appealing to the fishermen and trawler crews to stay away from the sea for three days. They have consented. The fishermen who are on fishing voyages have been asked to return to coast by this evening," said Paradip coast guard deputy commandant Pradhan Adhikari.

Seagoing fishermen have been asked not to venture into sea from September 29 to October 1 as the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) has issued an advisory to us, said an official.

There is an apprehension of debris falling in the deep sea. As there is threat to human lives, sea fishing has been stopped for three days, said a fisheries official. "Marine fishermen and trawler crews have assured us they will stay out of the sea during the period," said district fisheries officer Gyana Ranjan Samal.

However, they have demanded compensation for loss of income. "The three-day ban would adversely affect us. We have called on government agencies to suitably compensate us for the loss of income," said an office-bearer of a local marine fishermen's association Tushar Sardar.

Samal said: "We have apprised the DRDO of the fishermen's demand. They have assured us that the matter would be taken into consideration."