05 Jul 2024  |   06:15am IST

Members harassed at dept’s entrance: Union in letter to Fisheries Director

Claims members were asked to sign a security register upon arrival, but a former MLA, was allowed to enter without signing the same

Team Herald

MARGAO: The All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) in a letter to the Director of Fisheries has reported an incident of alleged harassment faced by visitors, particularly fishermen at the department’s entrance.

In a letter sent on Thursday, AGSSRFU President Shaila D’Mello, and Secretary Laximan Mangueshkar, provided details of the incident that occurred on June 26, when fishermen associated with the union were subjected to discriminatory treatment by security personnel at the department’s entrance.

The Union claimed that on that day, its members were asked to sign a security register upon arrival. However, during this process, another individual, identified by security as a former MLA and trawler owner, was allowed to enter without signing the register. When questioned, the security personnel disclosed that there were standing instructions from the Fisheries Director to exempt ex-MLAs from signing the register.

The security personnel stated that these instructions were in place specifically to prevent small-scale fishers, who have been instrumental in exposing various departmental scams, from bringing undue media attention to the department. Additionally, the security staff reportedly made rude and insulting remarks to the fishermen, which the Union strongly condemned.

The Union has demanded transparency and fairness in the department’s security protocols. They requested to see the specific directives issued to the security staff and a list of ex-MLAs exempt from signing the register. The union emphasised the absence of such a list at the department entrance.

AGSSRFU leaders asserted that the fairest course of action would be to require every visitor, regardless of their status, to sign the security register. They argued that this would ensure no discrimination and enhance the security of the department.

They also called for an immediate cessation of discriminatory practices at the entrance and urged the Fisheries Department to adopt a uniform policy for all visitors to uphold transparency and fairness.