Visakhapatnam: The fishing harbour in Vizag city, which went to flames on Sunday, is a hub for several illegal activities. Many use the area to drink alcohol and smoke ganja. Incidents of thefts are increasing in the harbour, especially at night.
There were also reports of illegal bunkering which led to the murder of a rowdy-sheeter a few years ago. The leaders of the fishermen's associations said some youngsters aged below 20 years have been threatening people with small knives, demanding money and sometimes looting valuables such as smart watches, phones, etc. The police apparently failed to control the crime, they added.
A boat owner, Yellaji, said they had appealed to the government to set up a police outpost but this was not done. Fisheries minister Appala Raju, on Monday, announced an outpost after visiting the scene of the mishap.
Another boat owner, Vasupalli Ganapathi, said, “During the fishing holiday season, the youngsters find the anchored boats as the best place for drinking and gambling. During a drunken brawl some time ago, a trans-woman was killed and thrown into the water.”
“There is no security guard and no police beat after sunset, it is a free-for-all,’’ he said.
The One Town police admitted that illegal activities were taking place in the anchored boats. “We would increase the patrolling during night time,” a police official said.
