Pics: Spoorthy Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Dec 20: More than 300 fishmongers, who sell fish at State Bank fish market in the city , staged a demonstration in front of the DC office, urging for their long pending demand of constructing a new fish market at State Bank.
Addressing to demonstrators S P Chengappa, advisor, Mahila Meenu Marata Mandali, said, "For the past many years, the fishmongers are demanding for a new fish market at State Bank. But no one is paying heed to our demand. Still the women are selling fish under the shelter which was constructed 50 years ago. Now it is in very poor condition. There is no proper drainage system which is very essential for a fish market. More than 1000 women are selling fish here. There is no proper seating arrangements and counters. The market has not yet seen the electric lights,"
"Now everywhere we are giving hype for the Smart City. We are advertising ourselves that we are in the fore front in the race of development. But if someone visits fish market of State Bank, they will realize the actual situation of this city. So the demand for a new fish market is not only the demand of the fishmongers but also of the general public."
In her speech, Baby Amin, said "Our husbands are going into deep sea for fishing and we are selling fish here at State Bank. This is going on since independence. But the shed, in which we are selling the fish, is very old and with only a few pillars. The roof is completely damaged. Around 1000 women sell fish here. Every year we meet the officials, politicians with our demand for the construction of a new fish market. Everyone is assuring us that the new market will be built, but till now there is no sign of the construction of the new market. We are considering this as negligence towards us. So in coming days, we are planning to hold various types of agitations."
Before the agitation the protesters took a march from Rao and Rao Circle to DC office. Later they submitted memorandum to the district administration.
K Geetha, Poornima and Gauri led the demonstration.