Chaos at Mapusa fish market

MAPUSA: The Mapusa fish market witnessed chaos on Thursday evening following a rift between the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) staff and the fish vendors.

Market Inspector, Sonali Gadekar along with others carried out a clearance drive by removing all the baskets of those ladies sitting on the floor and selling fish in the Mapusa fish market on Thursday morning. These vendors were blocking the way of market-goers and creating unnecessary confusion in the market.  

The MMC workers filed a complaint at the Mapusa Police Station that the vendors tried to attack them when they were carrying out their job.

Later in the evening, the vendors were seen sitting with their baskets on the floor yet again. When the market inspector along with her team tried to forcefully move them out, the fish vendors turned aggressive and even threw fish from their baskets on the floor.

Following the incident, President of the Mapusa Fish Vendors Association, Shashikala Govekar along with around 25 other vendors went to the Mapusa Police Station and filed a cross complaint alleging harassment.

Mapusa PI Tushar Lotlikar informed Herald that two cross complaints have been filed and non-cognizable offences have been registered against both parties on the basis of the complaints filed. “The Mapusa fish vendors will meet the Mapusa Municipal Council Chief Officer on Friday to sort out the issues,” he said.