Differences in Goa government over ban on import of fish
Panaji, Oct 25: Differences have emerged in the Goa government over the issue of ban on the import of fish for fear of formalin contamination.
Goa Forward Party (GFP) leader Vijai Sardesai is in favour of ban on the import, while BJP leader and health minister Vishwajit Rane has refused to impose it.
Sardesai, the agriculture minister, claimed Thursday that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, while admitted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi, had given his nod for imposing the ban.
"The decision was conveyed to officers but they have not executed it," Sardesai said.
"The controversy is over preservatives (like formalin) being added to fish, making the staple diet of Goans unsafe for consumption," he said.
To restore people's confidence in the quality of fish available in local markets, a ban on the import was needed, he said.
Health minister Rane, who held a review meeting on fish import with his department officials Thursday, however refused to impose a ban.
It was decided at the meeting that only insulated trucks would be allowed to bring in fish from outside as per a circular issued on August 4.
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Violence reported in several parts of Kerala after civic poll results
Kozhikode (PTI): Violence erupted overnight at various places across Kerala, particularly in northern districts, following the announcement of local body election results, police said.
In Eramala in Kozhikode district, tension prevailed throughout the night after the Indira Gandhi Bhavan, a Congress office, was allegedly attacked by CPI(M) workers.
According to an FIR registered at Edachery police station, around 200 people marched towards the Congress office carrying dangerous weapons and vandalised the building, causing damage estimated at around Rs five lakh.
A statue of late prime minister Indira Gandhi was also damaged in the attack, police said. Soon after, UDF activists gathered at the spot, further aggravating the situation.
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However, with the deployment of additional police personnel, the situation was brought under control, an officer said.
Police said another violent incident was reported at Marad, where stones were allegedly pelted at a UDF victory procession, leaving several persons injured.
In Sultan Bathery in Wayanad district, police registered a case after a car carrying a UDF activist and his family members was allegedly attacked by around 40 CPI(M) workers, an official said.
Sultan Bathery police also booked UDF activists in a separate incident for allegedly attacking a CPI(M) worker who objected to the bursting of crackers near his house, the officer said.
In Panoor in Kannur district, houses of several Muslim League activists were allegedly attacked by CPI(M) workers. Vehicles parked at the houses were also damaged.
According to Panoor police, the violence broke out after a UDF victory rally was allegedly stopped by CPI(M) workers armed with swords and daggers. Some UDF leaders sustained injuries in the clash.
Clashes were also reported between UDF and LDF workers at Ulikkal in Kannur district, though police intervention brought the situation under control later in the night, an officer in the Ulikkal police station said.
In Bedakom in Kasaragod district, an LDF victory march turned violent after CPI(M) activists allegedly intercepted UDF workers passing through the area. Some policemen who intervened suffered minor injuries, an officer said.
Similar violence was reported from Neyyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram district following clashes between CPI(M) and BJP workers. Police said workers from both sides sustained minor injuries and were admitted to hospitals. Cases will be registered after formal complaints are received, police said.
