CM Seeks Centre’s Intervention For Release Of Nine AP Fishermen
Vijayawada: Chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has written to Union home minister Amit Shah seeking urgent intervention to release nine fishermen from Vizianagaram district detained by Bangladesh Navy, minister of state Kinjarapu Atchannaidu said on Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference here, Atchannaidu said that the Prime Minister took immediate action after the issue was brought to his attention. He said the fishermen were on a mechanized fishing vessel (NDAP-V5-MM-75) which set off from Visakhapatnam Fishing Port for deep sea fishing on October 13, 2024.
Due to adverse weather conditions and strong ocean currents, the boat accidentally crossed into Bangladeshi waters, following which the crew members were arrested by the Bangladesh Navy. The incident came to light on October 22, 2024, after another fishing boat operating in the area reported being detained.
The Minister said that according to the Ministry of External Affairs, 13 Bangladeshi fishermen are currently detained in Andhra Pradesh and 122 fishermen in West Bengal. He added that the Prime Minister has appealed to the Center to expedite the release of fishermen detained on humanitarian grounds, especially when the mutual release process is already ongoing.
“Families of the fishermen are under severe mental distress. The state government fully supports them and will continue to coordinate with the Center to ensure early release of the fishermen,” Atchannaidu said.
