Fishermen are protesting against irregularities in the disbursement of funds

Members of the Visakhapatnam Fishery Port Workers’ Union protested outside the Collectorate on Monday over alleged irregularities in the payment of Matsyakarula Sevalo relief to fishermen. | Photo credit: IN PARADISE

Members of the AITUC-affiliated Visakhapatnam Fishery Port Workers’ Union staged a protest outside the Visakhapatnam Collectorate on Monday over alleged irregularities in the payment of Matsyakarula Sevalo relief to fishermen. | Photo credit: IN PARADISE

Tension prevailed at the Visakhapatnam Collectorate on Monday as members of the Fishery Port Workers’ Union called a rally alleging irregularities in the payment of the Matsyakarula Sevalo Fund to eligible fishermen.

The rally started from the Gandhi statue at Peda Jalaripet and proceeded to the Collectorate, with the protesters raising slogans against the alleged denial of financial assistance to several fishermen. Tension prevailed for some time after the police allegedly protested against allowing the protesters into the Collectorate premises. Angry protesters tried to break through the gate, leading to a brief scuffle.

After discussions with the police, a delegation of 10 union representatives was allowed to meet Joint Collector G. Vidyadhari. According to the union leaders, the official responded positively and assured them that the government would be informed about the issue and that the response would be communicated by Friday.

Addressing the protesters, union leaders P. Chandrasekhar and Vanka Gurumurthy said the agitation would intensify if the government did not provide a favorable response.

Andhra Pradesh State President Matsya Karmika Sangham Neyyala Nagabhushana Rao and several union leaders participated in the protest.

Published – 25 May 2026 19:35 IST