Chennai: Now, Tamil Nadu fishermen run into problems with their counterparts from neighboring Andhra Pradesh.

According to reports reaching here, a group of 300 fishermen set sail for fishing after the 61 day ban was lifted twi days ago. Usually, it is the Sri Lankan authorities who nab Tamil fishermen if and when they enter territorial waters of the island nation.

But it is for the first time, in several years, that Andhra Pradesh fishermen surrounded the Tamil fishermen and their 35 boats, and dragged them ashore. According to reports reaching here the Andhra fishermen were said to be agitated over entry into the area for fishing that would reduce their own catch.

The incident occurred when the Tamil fishermen were fishing near Krishnapattinam coast of Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh. The fisherfolk had set sail from Kasimedu in Chennai. The Tamil fishermen associations here alleged that the AP fishermen demanded money to release the men and their boats.

Meanwhile, the fishermen associations in Tamil Nadu and the state government were trying to talk to the Andhra Pradesh fishermen. According to a fisheries department official, they were trying to find out the reasons as to why the Tamil fishermen were taken ashore and restricted from moving anywhere.

Fishing hamlets Kasimedu and nearby areas are tense after the news of their colleagues being held by people in Andhra.