the goan I network
CANACONA
Hours after the State government imposed a ban on fish imports, four fish-laden inter-state vehicles from Karnataka and Kerala were turned away after being denied entry at the Polem border checkpost in the wee hours of Thursday.
Unaware of the 15-day ban, four fish-laden container trucks were stopped at the Polem border between 3 am and 5 am.
The drivers were then informed about the ban imposed by the State, following controversy over suspected use of formalin in fish.
The four fish-laden container trucks did not make any attempts to enter the State, but turned back and proceeded.
Incidentally, sources told The Goan that no FDA team was present at the Polem border on Wednesday night.
“The police took the responsibility to stop fish-laden vehicles entering the State via Polem border and there was no question verifying if the fish being transported was laced formalin or not, given the govt’s 15-day ban on fish imports,” said a source.
A Canacona police team led by PSI Prashal Dessai was stationed at the Polem checkpost. PSI Dessai confirmed that four fish-laden vehicles from Karnataka and Kerala were not allowed entry.
“Since no fish-laden vehicle passed through the Polem checkpost, no case or complaint was registered. The police team will guard the border post at Polem during the 15-day ban on fish imports and we will not allow any bulk fish transportation into the State,” informed PSI Desai.
According to sources, 6-8 small and large vehicles from Karnataka and Kerala bring fish into the State via the Polem border alone.
