*Nara Lokesh, MP behind boat theft: Kakani*

Nellore, March 22: YSRCP Nellore District President and former Minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy stated that the theft of boats seized by local fishermen was carried out with the involvement of Minister Nara Lokesh, MP Beeda Mastan Rao, and TDP leaders. He said the boats must be immediately brought back and restored, adding that video evidence from a local fisherman clearly exposes the conspiracy.

He stated that the plan to remove the boats was executed from the Nellore Collectorate under the direction of Minister Kollu Ravindra, and demanded answers from the Chief Minister, Ministers Lokesh and Kollu Ravindra, and district police officials including the SP, DSP, and CI. He said police, instead of supporting fishermen, are threatening and harassing them, showing the government’s lack of commitment toward fishermen welfare.

Kakani explained that Tamil Nadu mechanised boats were illegally entering Andhra waters, damaging nets and looting marine resources, severely affecting local fishermen livelihoods. With no action from authorities despite repeated complaints, local fishermen risked their lives to capture four boats and keep them under their control. However, TDP leaders, in coordination with Tamil fishermen, secretly got the boats released without informing local fishermen.

He cited video evidence in which a local fisherman revealed that he was contacted and offered money to facilitate the release of the boats, and that the operation was carried out overnight as part of a planned conspiracy. He stated that MP Beeda Mastan Rao played the main role, while Minister Kollu Ravindra designed the strategy, and said call data records would expose the entire network behind the operation.

He further stated that police officials intimidated fishermen, warning them of cases and arrests if they questioned the incident, calling it a serious abuse of power. He said a government that should protect fishermen is instead acting against them.

Kakani criticised the privatisation of the Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour, stating that it was established under Y S Jagan for the benefit of fishermen, but is now being handed over, including allocation of 30 acres to a private defence entity, which will harm fishing activity and livelihoods. He said fishermen are being pushed out of their own resources.

He asserted that YSRCP will stand firmly with fishermen and fight for their rights. He warned that those responsible will not be spared and that a full investigation will be conducted after a change in government. He reiterated that the boats must be immediately brought back and restored, and that the party will soon organise a larger agitation in support of fishermen.