Srikakulam: Unions demand release of fishermen detained in Pakisthan

Srikakulam: Fishermen Union representatives demanded that the government make efforts for release of detained fishermen from Pakistan prisons and pay monthly pensions to their family members.

The Union leaders staged an agitation at the Collectorate and submitted a memorandum to the District Collector J Nivas at Grievances Cell here on Monday.

On the occasion, they demanded the Collector to make efforts for release of 22 detained fishermen in Pakistan prison as they entered Pakistan waters in Arabian sea by mistake in 2018. Out of total 22 detained fishermen, 14 are from Srikakulam and the remaining eight belonging to Vizianagaram and East Godavari districts. At that time, the government announced Rs 8 lakh aid to each fisherman's family but the amount yet to be released. They also demanded Rs 10,000 as monthly pension for each family for their maintenance till their release. Fishermen Union leaders D Sudhakar, M Phalguna Raju, M Gurumurthy, M Sriramulu, V Laxmana Rao, Ch Appanna and Ch Thotayya participated in the dharna.