From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH, Sep 27: There seems to be no end to the controversy surrounding the high-stakes angling competitions in the state. In a fresh incident, a clash reportedly erupted during a fishing competition held at RRTC Umran in Ri-Bhoi district on Wednesday, when a participant allegedly brought a fish from outside to claim the prize.
The competition, organised by O Wahlang, Bahrit Mawnai, and friends, witnessed the participation of close to a thousand participants with prize money of Rs 10 lakh, Rs 4 lakh and Rs 2 lakh on offer for the top three catch.
As soon as the competition started, one of the participants took out a dead fish and went for weighing it with the organisers. Other participants alleged that the fish was brought from outside and accused the organisers of conniving with the said angler to cheat the others.
As a protest broke out, the organisers tried to protect the angler by taking him to the community hall. The situation escalated, and the organisers fled the scene.
The situation was finally brought under control after personnel from Umsning police station rushed to the spot.
The angler later confessed to have made an attempt to cheat his way to the top prize.
Angry anglers have demanded a refund of the entry ticket money, which was Rs 2000 per fishing hook.
