VASCO
Alleging that the water in the ‘Poim’ had been contaminated, a section of Velsao traditional fishermen along with other villagers led by Aliston Pinto on Tuesday advised people not to consume fish caught in the creek.
Local traditional fishermen also hit out at a Velsao-based fishing association, accusing it of misguiding locals and even supporting politicians who want to use the issue of double tracking to their advantage.
“I was worried about my parents who faced difficulties of flooding in the Poim and could not access to my canoes on the beach and hence I got a JCB to open the mouth but was stopped by the fishing association member and others,” said a local fisherman Alston Pinto.
“A fishing association member linked me to the double tracking and said I was trying to help the Railways. The person claimed the Poim had good water and rubbished my claims that the water was polluted. They claimed the mouth of the creek was only opened very rarely and only for emergency reasons,” said Pinto.
“I have bills under RTI of all the times that the mouth has been opened and that too with the help from politicians and the same persons who had addressed the media against me.”
“Secondly, I approached the MLA’s office and got the water of the creek tested and the results show that the chloride content is way much higher and the water even has traces of Ammonia which is very dangerous to human life. This invalidates the claims by local leaders that the creek is clean and is a source of livelihood for people.”
“I request the people not to consume fish caught in the creek or sell it in the market.”
Pinto said he was ready for an open debate with the fishing association and local leaders on this issue at any given time.
“I can prove my statement with all relevant documents and evidence procured under RTI from all State level bodies and organisations,” said Pinto.
