Andhra Pradesh   

Two fishermen feared dead in boat capsize

Staff Reporter

VISAKHAPATNAM: Two fishermen belonging to Gangavaram were feared dead when the boat in which they were travelling capsized near Yarada on Wednesday.

The tragedy occurred when it was being shifted from Gangavaram to Yarada to facilitate construction of private port by Gangavaram Port Limited (GPL) — a special purpose firm floated by D.V.S. Raju-led consortium to develop a port at a cost of Rs.2,000 crore.

The missing fishermen were identified. Of the 12 fishermen who were on-board the boat, 10 swam to safety.

Two fishermen, who sustained injuries, were shifted to a private hospital.

Commissioner of Police V.S.K. Kaumudi said the Coast Guard had engaged a helicopter on a search mission.

Two teams of policemen led by ACPs had been deployed to carry out search, he said.Joint Collector Sandeep Kumar Sultania, who visited Gangavaram and Yarada, said the Government would give ex gratia of Rs.3 lakhs if the fishermen were dead.

Tension gripped Gangavaram following the mishap. Incidentally, the fishermen had attacked Special Officer Mohan Reddy and a sub-inspector of police on March 25 when they tried to shift boats to Yarada without finalising rehabilitation package.

Two days later, the police had to open fire on a mob leading to the death of Ch. Nookaraju, a fisherman.

Sources said for the first time since trouble broke out at Gangavaram, the management of Gangavaram port had initiated talks with fishermen directly with support from the district administration and reportedly struck a deal on the relief and rehabilitation package.

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