Tension at Vasco market, vendors asked to move to temporary shed

The vendors were warned that failure to shift to MMC’s temporary shed would compel MMC inspectors to confiscate their goods and the MMC would be forced to use police force to shift them from the location.

Heated arguments broke out between vendors and authorities, with the vendors refusing to accept MMC’s ultimatum and threatening to agitate.

The MMC inspectors then pacified the vendors and explained that the MMC had plans to construct a new fish market for them and that they should cooperate with the council.

The vendors, however, said they were part of the Vasco fish market for as long as 50 years and would not shift anywhere till the MMC fulfilled their terms and conditions.

A large number of Vasco fish vendors supported the traditional fruit and vegetable vendors and warned that they would not allow traditional fish, vegetable and fruit vendors to be shifted to another location, either by request or by force, till MMC cleared roadside vendors and fish wholesalers.

Vasco Fish Market President Caridade Pereira said Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida had convened a meeting along with stakeholders and the MMC Chief officer on Wednesday.

"At the meeting, he had directed that wholesalers be stopped, but today the MMC and police have warned of confiscating our goods if we don't shift to the temporary shed.”

“We will stay here and not agree to such dadagiri. Almeida had given us word that he would clear roadside vendors and wholesalers, but he did not keep his word and we will also not agree till our demands are met.”

“A councillor who is also a fish wholesaler told us point blank that he will not stop his business. We have told authorities that we will also not shift from here. If authorities want to clash with us, we are ready but we will not shift till roadside vendors and wholesalers are cleared," warned Pereira.