SANGHAR, Jan 26: Fishermen visited the fisheries office on Saturday to obtain licence whose date was advertised by the Sindh government. Officials refused to entertain their applications because of the stay order issued by a local court. This irked the fishing community who protested outside the office.

Assistant Director Fisheries, Hussain Bux Siyal said there were 13 spots including Chotiari Reservoir on 100sqkm. He said the Sindh government had orders to issue licenses but the contractor after moving court obtained status quo which restrained them from issuing these to fishermen.

Rasool Bux Mallah, Ayoub Mallah, and Ramzan Mallah of Fisherfolk Forum had alleged involvement of Department’s officials in depriving more than 20,000 fishermen in Sanghar of their livelihood.

They said despite the court order, contractor was netting more than Rs500,000 fish daily. They said they informed the department and police but no action had been taken against him.Some licence holder fishermen catch fish from ponds where court’s status quo do not apply but goons of contractor beat them and snatch their few kilos if fish and also tear their licenses if shown to them.

They said contractor forcibly takes away their catch from other areas and pay them Rs35 to Rs50 per kilo, while in market it was between Rs120 to Rs180, with varieties like Semgari and Jerko more than Rs300 per kg.

They demanded action against the Fisheries Department.