5 Odisha fishermen ‘abducted’ by fish mafia of Andhra Pradesh

In an ugly turn of events during fishing in the deep sea, five fishermen from Odisha have allegedly been kidnapped by a group of fishermen from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

As per initial reports, all the abducted fishermen are from Arjayapalli area in Ganjam district. Sources said around 19 fishermen from the area had gone for fishing activities in the sea in two boats in the wee hours of Friday. However, a trawler from Andhra Pradesh allegedly entered the ‘no fishing zone’ and picked up a quarrel with the fishermen from Odisha in mid-sea.

The Andhra Pradesh fishermen allegedly kidnapped the Odisha fishermen after they opposed the former’s forcible fishing activities in the region.

“We had gone for fishing in the sea in country-made boats. When we saw a trawler from Vizag, we told them that it will affect our livelihood. But they picked up a quarrel and kidnapped five of our fishermen after overpowering them,” alleged one of the fishermen who managed to return to the shore.

A formal complaint in connection with the incident has been lodged with the local marine police station.