Chintadripet fish vendors seek protection

Anbu, a fishmonger, said that the problem started on Saturday morning. “Around 10 am, a group of people started putting up a stall here. When we told them that according to a court order, the existing order at the fish market shouldn’t be disturbed, they threatened us.” He added, “The men said that that they had legally signed an agreement with the owners of the market – JM Harun and JMH Imrankhan. 

The owners had a court order to visit the area. But how can an agreement be signed when the case is still in court,” said Anbu, adding that the fish vendors had filed a complaint at the Chintadripet Police Station. “But there was no response from the police so we had to file our complaint at the Police Commissioner’s Office,” said Anbu. 

“Since, it was a clear attempt to create a law and order problem in the market, we have sought police protection for the fishmongers,” he added. The problem over the market started in April this year, Congress MP JM Haroon Rasheed’s son bought the market and subsequently, increased the rent. The fishermen association then tried to save the market which is one among the oldest in the city. 

The fishermen also conducted protests across the city against the exorbitant rent hikes. According to the fishermen, the market plays an important role in the local economy as 19 wholesale vendors and hundreds of fisherwomen and small vendors use it. 

Fishermen from the city had earlier told DTNext that they had agreed to buy the market and had come to an agreement with the owners in 2010. Before this, the vendors said that they had shelled out Rs 50 lakh to renovate the market. The property was, however, sold to JM Harun, following which the tussle began.