Amaravati, Aug 18 (IANS) YSR Congress Party President and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday expressed concern over the disappearance of a fishing boat carrying eight fishermen and urged the government to intensify search operations and use all available resources to bring them back safely.
The fishermen hail from Odalarevu, Dummalapeta, and Vasalatippa villages of Allavaram mandal in Dr B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district.
Jagan Mohan Reddy 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 urged 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.
Jagan Mohan Reddy 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, Konaseema district Collector Mahesh Kumar said search operations were in full swing.
The fishermen had set out for fishing from the Odalarevu jetty on August 3, but there was no communication from them thereafter.
The Collector said a search operation was launched with the coordination of Coast Guard, Navy and Marine Police. He assured the families of missing fishermen that the search operation would continue till they are traced.
–IANS
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