Ring nets row: Tension grips Vizag coast; six fishing boats torched

Visakhapatnam: Tension gripped Endada Jalaripeta and Peda Jalaripeta villages after six traditional boats fitted with ring nets were set afire.

On Friday morning, some unidentified fishermen burnt six traditional boats fitted with ring nets. Endada Jalaripeta fishermen alleged that it was the handiwork of their Peda Jalaripeta counterparts. They took away three boats of Peda Jalaripeta fishermen and held some of them captive. They were later produced before the elders of the village.

Hundreds of police personnel were deployed in both villages to bring the situation under control.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Dwaraka Zone) RVN Murthy said some unknown persons set six boats afire.

``We are talking to the leaders of both villages to resolve the issue. If necessary we will impose prohibitionary orders under section 144,'' the ACP said.

Additional director of fisheries S Govinda Rao said traditional fishermen should follow the high court orders and use ring nets beyond eight nautical miles. One group is accusing another of violating the court orders.

``We have permitted eight ring nets. We will not renew them in the future. We also seized 11 ring nets in the past,'' Govinda Rao added.

BJP leader and MLC PVN Madhav said some vested interests are causing a rift between the two groups of fishermen.

``I wonder why minister for fisheries Appalaraju is not resolving the issue. It is frequently flaring up in Visakhapatnam,'' Madhav said.

Convener of Ring Valala Vyatireka Ikyavedika Teddu Shankar said that he had submitted a letter to the collector on July 18 on the use of ring nets by some fishermen. He said he had and warned of clashes on the issue.