CANACONA: High drama was witnessed at Polem check post in the wee hours of Saturday as fish trucks blocked the NH66 at Polem, after police denied them entry into Goa for not having registered with FDA.
After the formalin episode that affected the sale and consumption of fish in Goa, the government had imposed, in July, a temporary ban on import of fish from other States.
The temporary ban was lifted on August 2 with certain conditions.
The government had ceded to the request of the Fish Traders’ Association to allow them time to comply with its conditions for lifting the ban. But since the fish traders did not show seriousness in complying with the conditions laid down by the government, it issued a fresh notification on Friday directing the traders to strictly comply with its conditions in letter and spirit.
Coming down heavily on the defaulters, the police personnel at Polem check post denied entry into Goa to around 30 fish-laden trucks that had no FDA registration or had brought fish in un-insulated vehicles in the early hours of Saturday.
Unhappy with the denial of entry with their perishable products, the truckers in an instant reaction parked their vehicles on both the lanes of the NH66 there by blocking the movement of other vehicles in and out of Goa. Some of them in a fit of anger even threw fish on the road.
To avert any untoward incident, additional staff was requisitioned from Indian Reserve Battalion. Later, South Goa DySP Uttam Raut Desai and Police inspector (PI) of Sanguem Sagar Ekoskar and Quepem PI also arrived at the check post.
As the fish carriers demanded entry, Canacona SDM Raju Desai, Mamlatdar Raghuraj Faldesai and Joint Mamlatdar Dattaraj Gauns Desai also arrived at the scene.
Those present at Polem check post said that the most affected due to the almost three-hour highway blockade were the locals from Bhatkal and other North Karnataka areas, who had come by late night flights at Dabolim airport and were proceeding home.
Police said that after explaining their position, the 30 fish-laden trucks that had no FDA registration and some un-insulated trucks were sent back.
A fire tender later cleaned the road of the spilled fish, police said.
