MAPUSA: Accusing the migrants of taking over fish business in Mapusa, locals have blamed the municipality for the situation.
Local fish vendors in Mapusa fish market claim that migrants have taken over fish business in the town with support of the municipality.
The locals alleged that a lot of migrants are selling fish door-to-door on cycles or motorcycles in the town and this has affected their business.
“People have stopped visiting the market as fish is available at their doorsteps. Also along the highway, outsiders have put up stalls to sell fish due to which people have stopped coming to the market,” a fish vendor Vinanti alleged.
“I am resident of Mapusa and selling fish in the Mapusa market for years. When my daughter was jobless, I asked her to sell fish in our ward. However, the municipality immediately stopped us from selling fish along the roadside stating that we don’t have the right to do so. Now, many outsiders are selling fish along the roadside within the Mapusa jurisdiction, but till date the municipality neither stopped them nor taken action against them. If we locals have no rights, then, who gave rights to these outsiders to conduct business in Mapusa,” fish vendor Shaila Walwalkar asked.
“Migrants are selling fish on their bikes. Fish is sold along roadside by outsiders but the authorities are not taking any action. Elderly women sit throughout the day to make some money by selling fish in the market. However, outsiders are conducting business and making money. We request the authorities concerned to take action against the migrants and protect the livelihood of local fish vendors,” a local Diptesh Naik said.
Meanwhile, locals also expressed concern over safety of the people over the rising number of crimes involving migrants. They claimed that these migrants have been allowed to directly sell products door-to-door without any verification.
