No fish in Dimapur as indefinite ban enters ninth day

DIMAPUR – As the indefinite ban on sale of fish entered the ninth day, the fish market at New Market, Dimapur, which otherwise used to be thronged by customers, wore a deserted look on Saturday with not a single fishmonger found in the vicinity when this newspaper visited in the afternoon.

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.

Fish were available in New Market during the initial days of the ban as traders continued to sell their existing stock, though customers had to dig into their pockets as fish that normally cost INR 150 per kg went up to INR 300.

Customers, who came to the market unaware of the ban, were seen leaving dejected after enquiring the price.

One of the sellers had told this newspaper that fish supply to Dimapur had been stopped due to the incident at Signal Bosti earlier this month and hence the hike in price. He added that it was not known when they would resume their business.

However, the popular fish store at New Market was completed deserted by May 13.

The indefinite ban has also affected most fish stalls in the commercial hub. Unlike in the past, only some live fish were on sale during the Wednesday Bazaar (a weekly marketing window) at Supermarket this week.

The Dimapur Police is said to have registered a case regarding the May 3 incident (fish contamination) but with the matter remaining unresolved, there is no reprieve in sight for fish lovers.

Fishmongers said that they do not know when the ban will be lifted.