Fisherwomen to stage hunger strike on Dec 20

Hundreds of fisherwomen demanding a state-of-the-art fish market at the present location of the fish market near the State Bank Circle (Hamilton Circle) will stage a relay hunger strike on December 20.

“If officials do not respond to the demands of fisherwomen, we will take a delegation of fisherwomen to the chief minister,’’ informed State Bank Meenugarara Mahila Marata Mandali’s legal advisor S P Chengappa.

“Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) had not served any notice on evicting the fisherwomen from the temporary fish market located next to the inter-city bus stand,” he pointed out.

“Yet, we fisherwomen are worried as there is news in the newspapers and television about the MCC’s plans to build a new Central Market under the Smart City Mission as well as relocate vendors and fisherwomen in the temporary fish market to a make-shift building behind football ground. We urge the Mangaluru City Corporation to build a full-fledged fish market with all facilities in the present location,’’ fisherwomen requested.

Mandali President Baby Ameen, Secretary Geeta Bai, Vice President Narayani, and fisherwomen leaders Poornima Khunder, said that foreigners who visit the market shake their heads in dismay on inspecting the unhygienic conditions prevailing in the market.

“There is no proper water supply and drainage system. During rains, the entire market leaks. This year, two fisherwomen sustained injuries when a part of the shed caved on them during this monsoon,” the leaders complained.

“We want customers to feel happy when they buy fish from us. We want this temporary market to become the pride of Mangaluru,” Poornima Khunder stressed.