YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MP Maddila Gurumoorthy has called on the Union government to ensure the safe release of nine fishermen from Andhra Pradesh who were detained by the Bangladesh Coast Guard. The fishermen, hailing from Vizianagaram district, were apprehended in the Bay of Bengal on October 21, 2025, while operating a fishing vessel. Gurumoorthy emphasized that the fishermen’s families are distressed and facing mental agony due to their prolonged detention.
The MP highlighted that the fishermen unintentionally crossed the international maritime boundary near the West Bengal coast, leading to their detention by the Bangladesh Coast Guard. Stressing that there was no malicious intent involved, Gurumoorthy pointed out that the fishermen rely on traditional fishing for their livelihood. Their continued detention has not only caused financial distress but also severe mental strain on their families.
Gurumoorthy pointed out that Bangladesh, as a signatory to international maritime laws, has provisions under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea for the release of detained fishermen and vessels in such cases. Urging immediate action, he appealed to the Centre and the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh to address the issue promptly and secure the early release of the fishermen.
The state government of Andhra Pradesh had reported that eight fishermen from Vizianagaram district were detained by the Bangladesh Navy for allegedly entering the neighboring country’s territorial waters. Efforts have been made through the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in New Delhi to seek the fishermen’s release by contacting the Ministry of External Affairs. Additionally, a legal team from the Indian High Commission in Dhaka is providing legal assistance for their release.
A charge sheet has been filed against the fishermen in Bangladesh, prompting the Andhra Pradesh government to seek cooperation from the Bangladesh Embassy to maintain continuous communication with the fishermen’s families. Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu has also raised the issue with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging swift action for the fishermen’s return.
