DIMAPUR: The indefinite ban on sale of fish will be lifted on Monday, announced Inoka Yepthomi, Grievance Cell chairman of Andhra Fish Supplier Association Dimapur, during a press conference at Sematilla Colony, Dimapur on Sunday.
Yepthomi said that the decision was made in response to requests from the public and the difficulties faced by fish traders and vendors, adding that the prolonged ban had caused significant hardship for some vendors.
He also noted that fish traders expressed their desire to reopen the fish trade in Dimapur.
Taking all perspectives into consideration, the association decided to lift the ban on sale of fish and resume operations by Monday, he said.
Yepthomi mentioned that they had filed an FIR at the Urban Police Station after the May 3 incident. However, the culprits responsible for the incident had not yet been caught, he said, adding that the association, therefore, still stood by its demand made on May 3 that there would be no cooperation with any faction until the police apprehended the culprits.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]Additionally, Yepthomi expressed gratitude towards the Urban Police Station and the Commissioner of Police, Dimapur for their efforts in investigating the matter and providing assurances to resolve the case. He also acknowledged the Dimapur Local Fish Auction Union for their cooperation during the ban.
When asked about the price of fish from Monday onwards, Yepthomi stated that the rates would be based on the fish auction and the DMC rate.
Kughali Chishi, President of the Andhra Fish Supplier Association in Dimapur, clarifying on the use of formalin in fish, said tests are conducted at the Andhra Pradesh fish supplier location itself. He informed that the FSSI medical department in Nagaland takes samples from time to time to conduct tests, and they provide the association with the reports, adding that the test results for formalin in fish have been negative so far.
In the same line, Yepthomi also appealed to the public to approach the FSSI medical department for verification if they have any complaints regarding formalin in fish and urged the public not to “assume and spread false information”.
It may be mentioned that the “fish association” had called for an indefinite ban on trading of fish in Dimapur, starting from May 5, after unknown miscreants poured chemical-like liquid in 34 fish containers at Signal Bosti on May 3. It had said that the ban would continue until the matter is resolved.