“It is high time the fishermen within the State of Goa realize the importance of maintaining boundaries as far as landing and anchoring of canoes is concerned in the respective coastal villages, to maintain law and order among them and the people of the respective villages at large,” Alina said, after one group called her to sort out the matter.
According to Alina when the fishermen from Hollant requested Vasco fishermen to remove their canoes so that they could cast their nets (rampons), they refused point blank and this started an altercation. The ramponkars of Hollant made frantic calls to their MLA, that the fishermen of Vasco were coming to attack them with swords and other weapons.
The MLA was forced to rush to the scene. The ramponkars went to the Verna police station and lodged a complaint against the Vasco fishermen for trespassing and threatening to use weapons.
Alina too met the Police Inspector V Karpe and insisted that law and order be maintained by the fishermen by respecting their boundaries as is being done from time immemorial and those instigating the fishermen to fight with each other for vested reasons should be strictly dealt with.
The MLA also informed that later a meeting was held between the two warring groups of fishermen at the Verna police station during which it was decided that the fishermen of Vasco will remove their canoes from Hollant as soon as the rough sea subsides.
Alina Saldanha finally reached the Assembly at 1.15 pm
