Date:14/02/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/02/14/stories/2004021401610500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Vizag fishermen still under detention in Orissa

By Our Staff Reporter

VISAKHAPATNAM, FEB. 13. Seventy-seven fishermen of 11 mechanised fishing boats belonging to Visakhapantam, now under detention at Astrang near Puri by the Orissa Fisheries Department, have to wait for some more days before they are released.

The fishermen were intercepted by the Coast Guard off Orissa on January 1 on the charge of violating the provisions of the Orissa Marine Fishing Regulations Act by fishing in the banned zone.

The AP Mechanised Fishing Boat Owners' Welfare Association (APMFBOWA) and others stepped in and started negotiations and paid the fine a few weeks ago. The talks they held with the Orissa Chief Minister, Navin Patnaik, the Fisheries Minister and Orissa officials with the help of MPs of the State and MLAs, and even intervention by the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, had raised hopes of early release.