NAF demands ST status for fishermen community

Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, Mar 27 (UNI) The National Association of Fishermen (NAF) today demanded that the state government accord Scheduled Tribe status to the fishermen community in view of their continued backwardness in all fields.

Addressing a press conference here, NAF district unit president Kola Prasada Varma said of the total 80 lakh fishermen population in Andhra Pradesh, over 20 lakh were eking their livelihood by fishing and remained backward when compared to all other communities, including the tribals due to illiteracy.

He appealed to Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy to include the community in the list of Scheduled Tribes, paving the way for their accelerated all-round development.

UNI XR VA AJ 1655