Automated Translation:
Fishermen irked with notice to remove of boats

Effigy of MLA Mangalprabhat Lodha set on fire

Angry fishermen burning effigy of MLA Mangalprabhat Lodha after receiving notice to remove boats (Praveen Kajrolkar, Sakal Photo Service)

Mumbai, 20: Girgaon Chowpatty suffers a great blow - A notice for removal of fishing boats has been sent by the Department of Fisheries. A few years ago, these boats were made to compulsorily moor at other ports in the city. Accordingly, these notices have caused a crisis for the fishermen. Alleging that this action was taken due to the pressure of BJP MLA Mangalprabhat Lodha to make South Mumbai meat-free, local fishermen burnt an effigy of Lodha. The fishermen have also warned of throwing rotten fish in front of Lodha's house if the notices are not withdrawn.

40 fishing boats have been moored at Girgaon Chowpatty for many years. Till 2010 these boats were allowed to anchor at Girgaon Chowpatty; But then the boat owners were forced to remove these boats from the coast. The same has been mentioned in the license sheet issued to them. On the basis of this license sheet, the fisheries department has again sent notices to these owners and instructed them to remove the boats. The owners of these boats are in panic as they have been warned that the boats will be confiscated if they are not removed.

BJP's Malabar Hill MLA Mangalprabhat Lodha had written to the local police station and Fisheries Department to get rid of these boats. All Maharashtra Fishermen Action Committee President Damodar Tandel alleged that notices were put on the boats by taking immediate action through their letter. Lodha had announced plans to make South Mumbai meat-free a few years ago. His first step was to ban Koli women selling fish door-to-door in the Malabar Hill and Walkeshwar areas. Since then, boats have been banned on Girgaon Chowpatty; But if this ban is not withdrawn, Tandel has warned that rotten fish would be thrown outside Lodha's house.

The vegetarian-nonvegetarian debate is incorrect and baseless. Band Stand beach has been illegally occupied by many people. A letter was therefore issued to the Collector to evict unauthorized occupants as well as those without official licences. But by giving this issue a political angle, social discord is attempting to be spread. - Mangalprabhat Lodha, MLA.

Ever since we have been living in Walkeshwar, since a few decades, we have been mooring our boats here itself. Earlier it was mentioned in the license as well but it was changed a few years ago. Now a notice has been sent and orders have been issued to remove the boats from here. If not here, then where are we supposed to moor our boats? - Satish Kajve, boat owner.

We used to store our fishing nets at the site of the present Nana-Nani Park but then a park was built there. there was a park. Now there is no place to moor our boats. As we live in Walkeshwar, this beach is the closest. It is not possible to remove the boats from here. - Ramesh Mankar, boat owner.