BADIN, Nov 5: On the directive of the Sindh chief minister, a team headed by Provincial Minister for Population Ali Bux Shah and Adviser to the Sindh Chief Minister for Fisheries Faqir Jadam Mangrio arrived here on Thursday

to ascertain and discuss the issue of control over fishing waters by the Rangers.

A five-member committee, comprising Professor Abdullah Mallah, Advocate Mohammad Essa, Haji Abdul Rehman, Mithan Mallah and Fisherfolk Forum chairman Mohammad Ali Shah, held talks with the team in the circuit house. District Nazim Kamal Khan Chang also joined the discussion; however, no one from the Rangers' side attended.

The committee, while conveying grievances of fishermen in detail, said that the Rangers had occupied a large area of the belt - from Badin to Jati - although they were given only four waters sources in 1977. Moreover, the Rangers had set up check-posts in urban areas, instead of confining themselves to the border area as specified by the government, they added.

They alleged that the occupation of fishing waters and introduction of contract system on such waters had deprived them of their source of livelihood. They demanded that the fishing waters should be leased out through the fisheries department, the Rangers be limited to other waters, check posts set up over 8km off the border area be removed immediately, and cases registered against fishermen by the Rangers be withdrawn.

The government team heard the fishermen's point of view and assured them that they would report the matter to the chief minister. Mr Shah said that personally, he was in favour of a free water zone, and added that the Sindh government was keen to resolve the problems. He, however, warned that the matter should not be politicized.

He said that the issue would be resolved by November 30 as a meeting with the chief minister was planned to discuss their grievances. On this, the Fisher folk Forum chairman called off the protest campaign till November 30. He, however, said that the forum would continue its struggle if justice was not provided to them.