The fishermen community in the city on Monday evening organized a meeting at Budhwar Park to decide on the plan of action for a protest they are planning to organize on December 24, the day of the Bhoomi Poojan for the Shivaji Memorial that will come up in the Arabian Sea.
The fishermen have been assured a meeting with the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, sources said after the meeting. Meanwhile, the police is ensuring that there is complete security and no law and order situation arises.
Deputy Commissioner of Police ( zone 1) Manoj Sharma and Senior Police Inspector of Cuffe Parade police station, Rashmi Jadhav, both were present at Budhwar Park after the meeting.
Speaking about the precautions to be taken to have a smooth inauguration ceremony, Sharma said, “We are ensuring that no law and order situation arises. For this, we are mediating with the fishermen even as we put in place strict security arrangements.”
Jadhav, who spoke to the fishermen, told DNA, “The fishermen need to agree to meet the CM. We need to ensure that the situation is under control, and hence, we are speaking with them.”
Krishna Mehar, Chairman Machimar Sarvodaya Samiti, said, “We have always supported all the developments for the community, but we are never consulted throughout the planning. We are daily wagers, where are we supposed to go for fishing?”
Rohit Pandey, Chief Mentor, Paramparik Machhimar Seva Samiti, said, “We have knocked on the doors of all the authorities. However, nothing turned out in our favour. We appeal to the Chief Minister that if we are not consulted now, we will get on the roads and protest in whatever capacity we can. I urge all the fishermen to come forward and protest. This is a democracy, and if developments are made at the cost of our well-being and profession, we will not keep quiet.”
Ramkrishna Tandel, a member of the fishing community, said, “We aren’t opposing the Shivaji Memorial, we are opposing the place chosen for it. There are over 250 boats which earn a daily wage from it. Fishing will stop completely if it is made here. We tried everything, but remain unheard. Why are the authorities calling us now to give us compensation. We do not want the compensation, we will not let go of this place under any circumstance.”
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