40 crates of IMPORTED FISH seized Vendors flee after being questioned by locals
the goan I network
MAPUSA
The Mapusa fish market witnessed a ‘formalin in fish’ scare when local fish vendors intercepted at least 40 crates of “imported” fish in the market early Friday morning.
There was a virtual turmoil in the fish market after local fish vendors intercepted two unfamiliar fish vendors who were retailing “imported” fish from the crates.
Claiming that the fish was brought from Mumbai, the local fish vendors wondered how the fish made its way in the market despite the ban on import of fish.
Objecting to the sale of fish, the local vendors then began to question the two fish vendors and almost went to assault them. Sensing trouble, the two fish vendors fled from the site leaving behind the crates full of fish.
Later, the local vendors took the fish in their possession and informed the Mapusa Police and even called up the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) officials. Mapusa Police then rushed to the market and took the fish in their custody. The FDA officials took some of the fish sample for examination.
Later in the evening, FDA officials submitted a report stating that the fish was devoid of formalin. As a matter of abundant caution, the FDA also directed the two fish vendors to destroy the fish. Mapusa Police interrogated the two fish vendors and recorded their statement.
“The FDA report says that there was no formalin in the fish confiscated from the two vendors. The FDA has also directed the vendors to destroy the fish,” said Mapusa PI Tushar Lotlikar.
Questioning how outside fish made its presence in Mapusa market despite the government ban on fish imports, Mapusa Fish Vendor’s Association President Shashikala Govekar demanded a thorough investigation in the matter.
“We have extended their support to the fish ban implemented by the government. We also want the formalin issue to be resolved so that Goans can savour quality fish. But the government should ensure that the ban on import of fish is implemented strictly,” Govekar said.
She further warned that such type of illegal activities won’t be tolerated in future.
Shellfish seized at Margao rail station
MARGAO: With none of the authorities maintaining a vigil on the arrival of fish via the Railways, city-based activists seized a consignment of shellfish, mostly tisreos at the Margao railway platform on Friday evening that came from Mangalore. The activists demanded that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s official machinery should be vigilant, saying they have information that fish trucks stop at the Goa-Karnataka border at Polem before fish finds its way in the local markets in small vehicles.
