PANJIM: In a stark condemnation of the local administration’s actions, President of People for Animals and Member of State Board for Animal Welfare, Padmashri Adv Norma Alvares, has expressed deep disapproval of the cruelty inflicted on animals and the felling of trees ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Goa.
A memorandum dated February 2, from the Salcete Block Development Officer (BDO) has instructed all village panchayats along the National Highway 66 and surrounding areas to clear stray dogs, stray cattle, garbage, and roadside bushes to avoid untoward incidents during February 5 and 6, when the Prime Minister is scheduled to be in the State.
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Several large trees were felled at the KTC bus stand in Margao and the Ponda bus stand. Animal welfare organisations are receiving desperate calls from the District Collector and at least 20 village panchayats, to remove all cattle and stray dogs “from visible view” of the PM’s entourage, according to Alvares.
“Narendra Modi, our Prime Minister, does not like trees. He does not like cattle. And he does not like dogs. This is the message that has been indirectly conveyed to the people of Goa from the Memorandum issued by the Block Development Officer of Salcete,” said Alvares in a statement.
She raised concerns about the practicality of catching and transporting hundreds of stray dogs and cattle in a couple of days and questioned the arrangements for their housing and feeding. “And how will it be ensured that the stray dogs are returned to their places of inhabitation when they are released, as is the mandate of the rules to control stray dog population? None of this has been thought out,” she said.
Alvares criticised the rush to comply, predicting immense cruelty to animals, as municipal workers or local police, lacking experience in catching animals, would be tasked with this responsibility.
Alvares highlighted Modi’s previous expressions of compassion for animals in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ addresses. “He has often spoken eloquently about the need to be kind to the smallest of non-human creatures, he has demonstrated his love for animals by feeding birds, cows, peacocks, etc. Obviously, the PM is aware that in this country there are stray dogs and stray cattle which share space with humans in our cities and towns and villages. Why does Goa’s administration seek to hide this fact from him?” asked the PFA president.
Alvares also questioned the need for such drastic measures in the presence of a robust security force and police along the route, dismissing the possibility of untoward incidents from animals and trees.
The village panchayats that received the memo include Nuvem, Aquem-Baixo, Navelim, Dramapur-Sirlim, Chinchinim-Deussua, Assolna, Velim, Ambelim, Paroda, Guirdolim, Macazana, Chandor-Cavorim, Cavelossim, Carmona, Orlim, Varca, Cana-Benaulim, Colva, Seraulim, and Betalbatim.
