In the early hours of March 18, three persons released four mechanised boats from the Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour located in SPSR Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh. The released boats, owned by fishermen from Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry’s Karaikal, were seized a few months ago by fishermen of Krishnapuram and Chennayapalem villages of Nellore district.

The fishermen from both States have been at loggerheads for almost four decades, with their boats being seized when crossing the State maritime borders. These disputes have been frequently emerging between the fisherfolk from both Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, as many have been pointing out the lack of “proper maritime patrolling” by the law enforcement agencies.