Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Byndoor (MS)

Byndoor, Nov 8: The cold war that was going on between the fishermen of Uppunda and Koderi with regard to the auction of fish at the Kodri fishing port in Kirimanjeshwara village near here came out in the open on Saturday, November 7. Fishermen of both areas clashed with each other and police resorted to lathi-charge to control the crowd.

The fishing department had recently given temporary permission to auction the fish at the auctioning area in Koderi fishing port for fishermen of Koderi and Maravanthe. On the afternoon of Saturday, November 7 more than 100 boats of Uppunda were about to enter fish auctioning area of Koderi fishing port after finishing fishing through the Edamavinahole rivulet. However, fishermen of Koderi did not allow the fishing boats of Uppunda fishermen and blocked their boats by parking their own boats against those of Uppunda fishermen. Koderi fishermen were demanding basic infrastructure to be built and also a bridge to the river in order to go to the area of auctioning.

Kundapur ASP Hariram Shankar arrived at the spot and tried to pacify them by holding discussion. However, Koderi fishermen were adamant on their demand and said that they will not allow the auctioning of fish of Uppunda fishermen in the Koderi fishing port premises till their demands are met.

Fishermen of Uppunda had kept their catch of fish in their respective boats for mokre than four hours as Koderi fishemen had blocked their boats. Tahsildar B P Poojar visited the spot and held discussion with fishermen of both sides. But it did not yield desired result. Enraged by the inordinate delay and blocking by the Koderi fisherment, the Uppunda fishermen rowed their boats towards the boats of Koderi fishermen and friction ensued between both the sides. Police personnel climbed over the boats and lathi-charged the fishermen and tried to control the situation.

Shukradas Kharvi, president of Trawlboat association of Koderi fishermen says, "The assurance of building a bridge that was given to us when the Koderi fishing port was built is still not materialized. This bridge needs to be built immediately. In addition, we also demand the basic infrastructure facility in the fishing port to be provided. Till then no permission should be given to auction the fish in the Koderi fishing port campus."

Defending the Uppunda fishermen, Venkataramana Kharvi, president of Uppunda Ranibale fishermen federation says, "We have had several rounds of talks with fishermen of Koderi. As per their condition, we have got conditional temporary written permission to auction the fish at Koderi fishing port. Even then Koderi fishermen are obstruction the auctioning of fish urging their demands to be met. Fishing port is not limited to Koderi fishermen alone. It is open to all. We are ready to join hands with Koderi fishermen in their demand for bridge and basic infrastructure in the Koderi fishing port."

Kumarachandra, ASP said, "Fishermen from both areas should resolve their differences through discussions. If anyone tried to meddle with the law, police department is ready to handle the situation."

More clashes were reported at the Koderi fishing port area. Some people have sustained injuries and were admitted to hospital. Stone pelting on police, who tried to control the friction, was also reported. More number of police personnel were deployed as per sources.