Andhra fishermen stranded in Tamil Nadu sail home, arrested for violating lockdown

Srikakulam: Fishermen who had set sail from various parts of Tamil Nadu in mechanised tug boats to reach their villages in Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh were arrested on 19 April for violating lockdown guidelines. Criminal cases have been registered against them.

The police said 14 fishermen arrived at Iddavanipalem village under Kaviti mandal on Saturday evening. Seven more arrived on Sunday morning and five are on their way to Srikakulam. Sources said the fishermen called their relatives before starting on their journey. They switched off their mobile phones after reaching the Andhra coast.

However, local people who have barred outsiders from entering their village for the past three weeks, including relatives and family members, informed the police and revenue department officials.

All the fishermen who reached the Srikakulam coast were sent to various quarantine hospitals in the district. "We are strictly implementing the health guidelines and the people are also following the instructions which have helped the district stay free of COVID-19,’’ said a senior official.

Meanwhile, two migrant workers who arrived in Srikakulam from Guntur were quarantined and their samples collected.