VELIM: Uneasy calm prevailed at the Cutbona jetty after the traditional fishermen and purse-seine boat owners clashed as the latter were trying to fill diesel in their vessels.
The operations at the jetty have been severely affected due to the ongoing protests by the traditional fishermen who are demanding action against the use of LED lights and high speed engines for fishing besides stopping of bull trawling.
Cutbona Boat Owners Association committee member Sebestain Cardozo, while speaking to reporters, said that the traditional fishermen have paralyzed operations at the jetty as the trawlers are unable to refuel.
Cardozo said, “We do not know how long this stalemate will continue, and how long will the trawler owners be patient,” adding that so far it has been peaceful, but if the deadlock continues it could result into a law and order situation.
He said, “We have been in constant contact with the department of fisheries and district administration and it is up to them to resolve the matter as we do not want to go against the government order at the moment.”
Earlier, efforts to hold talks failed, which ultimately led to the two factions clashing with each other.
The situation was brought under control with a large police force being deployed at the jetty. The Deputy Collector Ajit Panchwadkar also rushed to the site to take stock of the situation.
Officials from the fisheries department were also present as the Deputy Collector tried to negotiate with the two groups, however, both the factions remained adamant and stuck to their stand.
Traditional fishermen charged that the boats fitted with LED lights are still at sea while those which have returned are without LED lights, and demanded that the department should ensure that those trawlers are brought to the jetty and the LED lights removed.
The fishermen also demanded that the engines of these boats should also be inspected, adding that they do not want to fight with anybody but would not move out of the jetty till such time that their demands are met.
Speaking to reporters on the clash, the president of the Cutbona Boat Owners Association Savio D’Silva said, “We had tired to broker an agreement for refueling of the trawlers, however, it failed at the last moment which resulted in a minor clash which was brought under control.
He said that the matter which is being taken up by the traditional fishermen was raised by the union some three months back and had even written to the department.