Kolis facing eviction from Sassoon Dock over MFDC-MbPT struggle govt must intervene Aaditya

Mumbai, Jul 3 (PTI) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Thursday raised concerns over the eviction threat faced by the Koli community at Mumbai's famed Sassoon Dock amid a prolonged dispute between Maharashtra Fisheries Development Corporation (MFDC) and Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT).
Speaking in the assembly, Thackeray urged the Devendra Fadnavis government to intervene immediately and provide relief to the community, which is facing displacement despite rent being paid to the MFDC regularly.
The dispute, which is over a decade old, began after MbPT issued eviction notices alleging MFDC had failed to pay lease rent.
Though the matter was put on hold after a meeting chaired by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, it has resurfaced recently with fresh eviction notices being served.
"MFDC had leased the land from MbPT and sublet it to local fishermen and fish traders. Despite paying dues to MFDC, the community now faces eviction as MbPT seeks to reclaim the land due to alleged non-payment of rent by MFDC," the Worli MLA said.
"The Koli community and workers involved in fish packing, export, and related trades are once again facing uncertainty and potential displacement. They are being punished for no fault of their own. They are caught in a dispute between state and central agencies," Thackeray said.
Thackeray also pointed out that Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has asked fish vendors at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Market to vacate their premises, which may further endanger the livelihoods of thousands of Marathi and non-Marathi families dependent on the traditional fishing industry.
"Fisheries are an integral part of Mumbai's economy. This unjust action threatens not only the Koli community but the entire fisheries sector. The state government must step in immediately to resolve the MFDC-MbPT conflict and stop the eviction of the traditional fishing community," he asserted.
The state government must take strong measures to ensure justice is delivered to the Koli community, Thackeray said.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)