A conflict arose between a previous contractor and the Fishermen's Association over fishing rights at Bellathi Lake near Karamadai. Officials intervened, imposing a two-day fishing ban to resolve the issue.
Coimbatore: A dispute erupted at Bellathi Lake near Karamadai in Coimbatore district when members of the Mettupalayam Fishermen's Cooperative Society arrived to fish, only to be confronted by the previous contractor whose term had expired.
The 150-acre Bellathi Lake, under the control of the Public Works Department, has been allowing fishing on a contract basis through the Fisheries Department. The previous contractor's term ended in July, prompting over 60 members of the Mettupalayam Fishermen's Cooperative Society to arrive at the lake with boats and nets to begin fishing.
However, Mohanraj, the former contractor, prevented them from accessing the lake, leading to a heated argument between the two parties. Upon receiving information about the dispute, Karamadai Police, along with officials from the Fisheries Department and Public Works Department, arrived at the scene to mediate.
As no amicable solution was reached during the talks, the Fisheries Department officials imposed a two-day ban on fishing in Bellathi Lake for both parties. Police have been deployed to monitor the situation and ensure that no one engages in fishing activities during this period.
Officials have assured that they will gather opinions from the majority of fishermen within the two-day period and make a decision on granting fishing permissions based on their input. Disappointed fishermen who had arrived with their nets hoping to fish after the expiry of the previous contract were forced to return empty-handed.
The authorities are working to find a fair resolution to the fishing rights dispute, balancing the interests of both the former contractor and the local fishing community.
The 150-acre Bellathi Lake, under the control of the Public Works Department, has been allowing fishing on a contract basis through the Fisheries Department. The previous contractor's term ended in July, prompting over 60 members of the Mettupalayam Fishermen's Cooperative Society to arrive at the lake with boats and nets to begin fishing.
However, Mohanraj, the former contractor, prevented them from accessing the lake, leading to a heated argument between the two parties. Upon receiving information about the dispute, Karamadai Police, along with officials from the Fisheries Department and Public Works Department, arrived at the scene to mediate.
As no amicable solution was reached during the talks, the Fisheries Department officials imposed a two-day ban on fishing in Bellathi Lake for both parties. Police have been deployed to monitor the situation and ensure that no one engages in fishing activities during this period.
Officials have assured that they will gather opinions from the majority of fishermen within the two-day period and make a decision on granting fishing permissions based on their input. Disappointed fishermen who had arrived with their nets hoping to fish after the expiry of the previous contract were forced to return empty-handed.
The authorities are working to find a fair resolution to the fishing rights dispute, balancing the interests of both the former contractor and the local fishing community.