the goan I network
MARGAO
The western bypass road adjoining the wholesale fish market, which has since been shut down in the wake of the lockdown, has emerged as a fish trading zone, with many raising eyebrows whether fish from the Coronavirus-hit Maharashtra is brought from across the border despite the lockdown.
Questions are being raised how the fish from across the border manage to enter Goa, with many in the know saying the fish is brought into the state through a river front separating the two states.
Persons in the know told The Goan that fish transporting trucks, either registered in Goa or Maharashtra bring in truckloads of fish at the Western bypass at midnight. The fish selling operation then starts right under the nose of the authorities and wind up before dawn, before the men-in-uniform make their presence felt to give an impression that the police will not tolerate any activity in violation of the lockdown.
Locals engaged in the fishing operations, including boat owners and traders alike have demanded to know how fish in trucks can come right near the wholesale fish market when the borders are sealed and the wholesale fish market is shut down for any operation.
“Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should personally investigate into the import of fish from neighbouring Maharashtra through the internal roads. We have information that local trucks line up near the river front separating the two States and load the fish in their vehicles. An investigation into the import of fish into the state is all the more important since Maharashtra has witnessed a number of Coronavirus cases’, sources.
Sources further demanded to know how come the Goa police have turned a blind eye to the trading of fish by dozens of trucks in the wee hours everyday and make their token presence only at the fag end of the trading. Import of fish from across the borders had remained disrupted since the 21-day lock down had come into force from last month, with unscrupulous dealers and traders managing to get the fish from across the border.
