120 TN fishermen detained by Andhra counterparts

HYDERABAD/ CHENNAI: Fishermen from coastal Andhra Pradesh held at least 120 fishermen of Tamil Nadu and 20 mechanised trawlers belonging to them captive for allegedly fishing in their area.

Alleging that the fishermen from Tamil Nadu were illegally fishing in their area, the fishermen from Krishnapuram in the south coastal district of Nellore detained their counterparts.

The demands to free the captives included a ransom of Rs.4 million to repair damaged nets and an unspecified donation for a local temple.

Police officials said they were trying to contact the fishermen who held captive their counterparts from Tamil Nadu. Police are likely to hold talks with the fishermen on Tuesday to sort out the issue.

Fishermen from Tamil Nadu often stray into the fishing area of Krishnapuram near the border between two states. However, fishermen's association from Tamil Nadu alleged that they were being routinely detained in Andhra Pradesh.

A report from Chennai said a five-member team of boat owners and fishermen's representatives left for Andhra Pradesh to secure the release of fishermen. The association claimed that 150 fishermen and 25 mechanised trawlers were being held captive.

V. Kapilan, a spokesman for a fishermen's association based in Kasimedu from where the boats had left on a fishing expedition, demanded police intervention and said Tamil Nadu's fishermen were routinely detained in Andhra Pradesh.