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Andhra Fishermen Detained by Bangladesh: MP Urges Centre's Swift Intervention

YSR Congress Party MP Maddila Gurumoorthy has urgently appealed to the Union government to secure the release of nine fishermen from Andhra Pradesh detained by the Bangladesh Coast Guard since October 2025. The fishermen, who hail from Vizianagaram district, inadvertently crossed the international maritime boundary due to navigational errors while operating in the Bay of Bengal. A charge sheet has been filed against them in Bangladesh, prompting both state and central government interventions, including legal aid from the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. The MP emphasized the humanitarian crisis, citing the severe mental and financial distress faced by the fishermen's families who depend entirely on traditional fishing for their livelihood.

Key Points: Indian Fishermen Detained by Bangladesh: MP Seeks Release

  • 9 Andhra fishermen detained
  • Inadvertent boundary crossing
  • Legal case filed in Bangladesh
  • Multi-level govt efforts for release
2 min read

YSRCP MP urges Centre to ensure safe release of nine fishermen detained by Bangladesh

YSRCP MP urges Centre to secure release of 9 Andhra fishermen detained by Bangladesh Coast Guard for inadvertent maritime boundary crossing.

"their prolonged detention has caused severe mental and financial distress to their families - MP Maddila Gurumoorthy"

Amaravati, Jan 2

YSR Congress Party MP Maddila Gurumoorthy, on Friday, urged the Union government to ensure the safe release of nine fishermen who were detained by the Bangladesh Coast Guard.

In a letter to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the MP said that nine fishermen from Andhra Pradesh were apprehended by the Bangladesh Coast Guard in the mid sea of Bay of Bengal on October 21, 2025 while they were operating a mechanised fishing vessel.

The fishermen hail from Vizianagaram district and their families are in distress and undergoing mental agony, he said, and urged the Union government to use their offices to seek the release and safe return of the fishermen.

According to Gurumoorthy, the fishermen inadvertently crossed the international maritime boundary near the West Bengal coast due to navigational lapses but were detained by the Bangladesh Coast Guard.

He said that there was no criminal intent involved.

He added the fishermen depend entirely on traditional fishing for their livelihood and that their prolonged detention has caused severe mental and financial distress to their families.

The YSRCP MP from Tirupati added that Bangladesh is a signatory to international maritime laws and that provisions under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea allow for the release of detained fishermen and vessels in such cases.

Citing humanitarian concerns, Gurumoorthy appealed to the Centre and the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh to take immediate steps to resolve the issue and ensure the fishermen's early release.

The state government had said that eight fishermen from Vizianagaram district were detained by the Bangladesh Navy after their boat allegedly strayed into the neighbouring country's territorial waters.

The state government contacted the MEA through the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in New Delhi to secure the release of the fishermen.

A special legal team of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka is providing legal aid for their release.

A charge sheet has been filed in Bangladesh against the fishermen, prompting the Andhra Pradesh government to appeal to the Bangladesh Embassy for cooperation to allow continuous contact with the fishermen's families.

Union Civil Aviation Minister, K. Ram Mohan Naidu, took up the matter with the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar requesting steps for their swift return.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Good to see the MP raising this issue. The families must be going through hell. I hope the legal team from our High Commission can cut through the red tape quickly. These are simple fishermen, not criminals.
V
Vikram M
While I fully sympathize with the fishermen, we also need to ask why our fishermen keep straying into foreign waters. Is there a lack of proper GPS or training? The state govt should also look into preventive measures for the future.
P
Priya S
Bangladesh is a friendly country. I'm sure they will understand this was a genuine mistake. Hope our External Affairs Minister's intervention yields quick results. The mental agony for the families is the worst part.
M
Michael C
The article mentions a charge sheet has been filed. That complicates things. It's good that a legal team is involved. Diplomacy is key here. Hope for a humanitarian resolution soon.
A
Ananya R
Their livelihood is completely stopped. The financial distress for these families must be immense. Beyond their release, some support system is needed for them. Jai Hind, bring our brothers home safely.

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