Amaravati, Jan 2 (NationPress) YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MP Maddila Gurumoorthy has called upon the Union government to facilitate the safe release of nine fishermen detained by the Bangladesh Coast Guard. In a letter addressed to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), he highlighted that these fishermen, hailing from Andhra Pradesh, were apprehended on October 21, 2025, while they were at sea in the Bay of Bengal operating a mechanized fishing vessel.

The fishermen belong to Vizianagaram district and their families are currently experiencing distress and mental anguish, as stated by Gurumoorthy. He urged the Union government to leverage its resources to secure the release and safe return of the fishermen.

According to the MP, the fishermen unintentionally crossed the international maritime boundary near the West Bengal coast due to navigational errors, resulting in their detention by the Bangladesh Coast Guard. He emphasized that there was no criminal intent involved in their actions.

Gurumoorthy pointed out that these fishermen rely solely on traditional fishing for their livelihoods, and their extended detention has led to significant mental and financial hardship for their families.

As a representative from Tirupati, he reminded that Bangladesh is a signatory to international maritime laws, and under the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, there are guidelines for the release of detained fishermen and vessels in such situations.

Highlighting humanitarian concerns, Gurumoorthy appealed to the Centre and the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh to take prompt action to resolve the matter and ensure the fishermen's swift release.

The state government has acknowledged that the eight fishermen from Vizianagaram district were detained by the Bangladesh Navy after their boat allegedly entered the neighboring country's territorial waters. The state has reached out to the MEA through the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in New Delhi to aid in the fishermen's release.

A dedicated legal team from the Indian High Commission in Dhaka is currently providing legal assistance for their release. A charge sheet has been filed against the fishermen in Bangladesh, prompting the Andhra Pradesh government to solicit the Bangladesh Embassy for continued communication with the fishermen's families.

Union Civil Aviation Minister, K. Ram Mohan Naidu, has also engaged the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, advocating for immediate measures to ensure their safe return.