100 Days Captive: Kasimedu Fishers Launch Indefinite Strike Over Boats Held in Andhra Pradesh

Fishermen from Kasimedu in Chennai have announced an indefinite strike to protest the continued detention of their boats in Andhra Pradesh, which they claim were caught in April 2026 and have been held captive for over 100 days. The strike is set to begin immediately, with the community demanding that the Tamil Nadu government take urgent action to retrieve the vessels.

The boats were reportedly seized by Andhra Pradesh authorities in April 2026, and despite the passage of more than three months, they remain in custody. A community leader has called on the State government to escalate the matter to the Centre, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration to intervene and secure the release of the boats. The fishermen argue that the prolonged detention is causing severe economic hardship and threatening their livelihoods.

The indefinite strike threatens to disrupt fishing activities in Kasimedu, one of Chennai's largest fishing hubs, and could impact the local seafood supply chain. The Tamil Nadu government has yet to issue a formal response, but pressure is mounting for diplomatic engagement between the two states. The Centre's intervention is seen as crucial to resolving the dispute, which highlights broader tensions over maritime boundaries and fishing rights between coastal states. Further developments are expected as the strike gains momentum.