Churchill raised issue of allowing them with PDA chief, Margao MLA
Savio Alemao with leaders of traditional fishermen at the wholesale fish market on Saturday evening. The gates of the market have been finally opened for the fishermen from Saturday.
MARGAO
The SGPDA wholesale fish market was finally thrown open for the traditional fishermen on Saturday evening after agitated fishermen led by Savio Alemao, son of former chief minister Churchill Alemao, entered the market.
Savio Alemao along with leaders of fishermen community from Benaulim, Jose Fernandes and Pele Fernandes, Thomas Rodrigues, Colva, and other fishermen descended at the wholesale fish market on Saturday evening, moments after Churchill spoke to SGPDA Chairman, MLA Krishna Daji Salkar with a plea to open the wholesale fish market for the traditional fishermen.
The SGPDA contactor, who was present at the market, opened the gates to allow the fishermen to make entry and sell fresh fish.
Savio Alemao told the media that he along with the fishermen came to the market after Churchill spoke to PDA Chairman, Daji Salkar to open the market for the fishermen.
“Churchill also spoke to Margao MLA Digambar Kamat and requested him to open the market since the PDA had taken an in principle decision to open the wholesale fish market throughout the day for the traditional fishermen”, Savio said.
He added: “From today, the wholesale fish market will remain open throughout the day for the traditional fishermen to sell their catch. The problem of the fishermen stands resolved from today”.
Reminding that the members of the Alemao family have been into fishing and had taken up cudgels for the boat owners, Savio said he and his father will stand by the fishermen.
President of Traditional Fishermen of Colva, Thomas Rodrigues said the traditional fishermen had to undergo severe hardships over the last one week after the SGPDA shut the doors for the fishermen after 10 am.
“The traditional fishermen have no fixed fishing timings. Hence, we come to the market after the catch. If the market is not kept open throughout the day, the fishermen were not left with any option than to add ice to the catch”, Thomas said, while making a fervent plea to SGPDA to keep the market clean and hygienic.
Benaulim-based traditional fisherman Pele Fernandes wondered how come migrant fishermen are allowed to use the PDA market space to store fish, while keeping the market closed for the local fishermen.
Demanding that the SGPDA illuminate the market area at the earliest, women fishermen said they are forced to sell fish with the help of torch lights in the market.
