Date:02/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/02/stories/2005010204350600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Fishermen do not want to take chances

By M. Venkateswara Rao

ONGOLE, JAN. 1. After witnessing the tsunami devastation, fishermen are afraid of venturing into the sea again and are waiting for their Tamil counterparts to test the waters first.

Several fishermen had migrated from Tamil Nadu and settled down at various places along the coast up to Vodarevu near Chirala in Andhra Pradesh. They are called `pattapollu' (indicating that they had come from Chennapatnam) as they have retained their culture and live separately from `pallekarulu.' `Pattapollu,' considered more aggressive and known for their entrepreneurship, too are not keen on going into the sea. It appears that fishermen may take one more month to resume their normal operation. The reason for it is the fear of the sea. They have no boats and nets. And they are given one-month rations.