Vendors’ call to save Chintadripet fish market

The problem started nearly a month ago, said K Bharathi, President, South Indian Fishermen Welfare Association. 

A month ago, we were told that this place was bought by former MP JM Haroon Rashid and vendors were asked to sign agreements. All the fishermen’s association has come together to appeal to the government to save the Chintadripet Fish Market, which was one of the oldest in the city. Apart from 19 wholesalers, hundreds of fisherwomen and small vendors depend on this fish market for existence. This issue should viewed as a loss of livelihood of hundreds of people, rather than a property dispute, said Bharathi. 

M Jayakumar, president of Cuddalore Makkal Padhagapu Amaipu, said that the fish market was the place where fisherwomen conduct their transactions. “Since the place has been bought, the wholesalers are being asked to vacate. We are planning to hold a protest on May 25, making an appeal to the government to sort this issue. We have met the Fisheries Minister and have petitioned the Chief Minister’s Cell too. We hope that there will be a consensus among the owners and the fishing community. We are also willing to buy the market, at a reasonable cost, as we have already staked a claim to it,” he added. 

The rent too was hiked after the property was bought, said Bharathi. “In 2010, an agreement was drawn, clearly stating the amount to the paid as rent for sheds and ice boxes. In the same year, vendors shelled out Rs 50 lakh from their pockets for renovation. When we made the agreement in 2010, the owners told us that if they were selling the place, it would be sold to us. Now, the rent is being hiked, which is one of the ways to get the people to leave,” he said. 

Jayakumar pointed out that the government, in view of shrinking spaces for fishermen, should earmark area purely for this purpose. “The government should ensure that these markets are kept for the fishing community, who use it for selling and exporting. For example, Chintadripet caters to fisherfolk from Arapakkam to Kadapakkam. Even fishermen in Cuddalore will be affected if this facility is closed,” he concluded.