40 TN fishermen detained in Nellore

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, SEPT. 20. About 40 fishermen and their boats were `detained' by fishermen of Thennarpalayam village in Nellore district on Wednesday, according to the Chennai Kancheepuram Tiruvellore Mechanised Boats Fishermen Association.

Office-bearers, along with senior Fisheries department officials and a police officer, have left for Nellore to secure the release of the fishermen and the seven boats `seized'. The team was expected to meet the Nellore Collector.

Association members allege that it had become routine for Andhra Pradesh fishermen to impound Chennai boats and seek `ransom', citing damage to their fishing gear. About 60 mechanised boats from Chennai are headed for the neighbouring state coastline everyday, thanks to availability of big catch.

It was only a couple of weeks ago that a Chennai team, comprising department officials, police and association members, obtained the release of 140 fishermen held `hostage' by the Andhra Pradesh fishermen.

After this the Tamil Nadu Government announced that a committee comprising officials of the two States would be formed and it would meet periodically to sort out the issue of `piracy' off the Andhra Pradesh coast.

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Section  : Southern States
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