Aligarh: “Mermaids” at Exhibition Turn to Police After Contractor Fails to Pay

Aligarh: A group of young women performing as “mermaids” at a local exhibition in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, approached the police after their contractor allegedly failed to pay them for their work. Despite performing their acts for several days, the women claim they have not received full payment. Frustrated, they have been visiting the Banna Devi police station for three consecutive days without any resolution.

The mermaids, who perform aquatic stunts at fairs and exhibitions, were hired by a contractor for a show in the Aligarh exhibition. According to them, the contractor has withheld their full payment despite an existing agreement. In protest, the performers recorded a video at the police station highlighting their plight, which has since gone viral on social media.

Performers Speak Out
Anjali Rai, one of the performers, said, “We have been running to the police station since February 9. Three days have passed, but no action has been taken. The contractor was supposed to pay us in full by February 9, but we have not received our dues. We had an agreement with him, and since the water in the tank wasn’t changed, our health started to deteriorate. We even suffered from food poisoning. Meanwhile, we were given a day off, and other performers were brought in to continue the show.”

Police Statement
Police officials stated that the dispute appears to be a financial disagreement between the contractor and the performers. “We are investigating the matter,” a spokesperson said.

The incident has sparked conversations on social media about fair treatment and timely payment for performers, with many expressing support for the young women who risked their health entertaining the public.