Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) [India], August 18 (ANI): Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday expressed concern over the disappearance of a fishing boat carrying eight fishermen and urged the state government to intensify search operations to trace them and ensure their safe return.
According to the YSR Congress Party, the fishermen belong to Odalarevu, Dummalapeta and Vasalatippa villages in Allavaram mandal of Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema district.
He urged the government to intensify search operations and use all available resources to bring the fishermen back safely, according to the release.
Jagan said the families of the fishermen are deeply worried as there has been no information from them for several days. He urged the government to conduct search operations on a war footing to trace the missing fishermen and their boat.
He asked the government to involve the Coast Guard, Navy, Fisheries Department and district administration in the search operation. He said all available technology and communication systems at sea should be used to expand the search.
YS Jagan also called for the cooperation of fishing boats and other vessels operating along the coast, including in the areas of Kakinada, Visakhapatnam and Paradip. He said continuous efforts should be made until the missing boat and fishermen are traced.
He said he is praying for the safe return of all eight fishermen. He appealed to all departments to work in coordination and ensure that there is no slackening of search operations until their whereabouts are known. He also urged the government to stand by the families of the missing fishermen during this difficult time.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday reviewed the search operation for a fishing boat carrying eight fishermen that went missing at sea.
He directed officials to intensify the search and continue efforts until the boat and fishermen were located.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister’s Office said, “Honourable Chief Minister Shri Nara Chandrababu Naidu today reviewed the incident of the fishermen’s boat from Odalorevu, Dummalapeta, Vasalatippa villages in Allavaram Mandal, Konaseema District, going missing at sea. He inquired with officials about the ongoing search operations for the safety of the eight fishermen on board.”
https://x.com/AndhraPradeshCM/status/2089613619185278978?s=20
The Chief Minister was informed that contact with the fishermen’s family members continued via phone until 11 AM on the same day, after which there was no further communication. Officials said the boat was expected to return by August 12. However, as it did not return, immediate special search operations were launched to ensure the safety of the missing fishermen.
“On August 3 at 10 AM, the fishermen’s boat set out to sea from Odalorevu jetty for fishing. Contact via phone with family members continued until 11 AM, after which no information was received. Officials revealed that although the boat was supposed to return by the 12th, it did not, prompting immediate special search operations for their safety. The Chief Minister directed officials to continuously engage with the families of the missing fishermen and inform them promptly about developments related to the search operations. The CM assured the affected families to stay strong and that the government stands by them in support,” CMO added. (ANI)
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