*Government failed fishermen: K.K. Raju*

Visakhapatnam, July 7: YSRCP Visakhapatnam District President K.K. Raju strongly criticised the coalition government for failing to protect fishermen and demanded that the search for the six fishermen missing in the Visakhapatnam boat accident be intensified on a war footing. He said the government's delayed response exposed serious administrative failure and negligence. Raju also demanded a CBI inquiry into the alleged encroachment of government and private lands in Visakhapatnam. He was speaking at a press conference held at the YSRCP district office on Tuesday.
Raju said seven fishermen from Mukkam village in Vizianagaram district met with an accident after their fishing boat capsized while returning from fishing near the Visakhapatnam coast. One fisherman survived with the help of a passing merchant vessel, while six others remain missing. He said the families are still waiting for information about their loved ones.
Questioning the delay in rescue operations, Raju said the accident occurred on July 4, but rescue efforts were not launched immediately. He said the survivor revealed that the fishermen spent the entire night clinging to the overturned boat and later swam nearly 12 to 15 kilometres for several hours without receiving rescue assistance. He demanded that the government explain the failure of the Marine Police and emergency response system.

Raju called for mandatory GPS tracking on all fishing boats, automatic emergency alerts, better communication systems at sea, regular safety training, and timely insurance payments for fishermen.

He also alleged that ruling party leaders were involved in illegal encroachments of valuable government and private lands in Visakhapatnam. Despite complaints, officials had failed to act, he said. Raju demanded a comprehensive CBI inquiry into all land encroachment cases and urged the government to ensure justice for the affected families and strengthen permanent safety measures for fishermen.