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PONDA: While slaughtering of cattle continues to be temporarily halted at the Goa Meat Complex (GMC), 14 of the 132 cattle at the Goa Meat Complex have died so far, with conflicting claims regarding the cause of the deaths.
While sources at GMC claimed that the animals had died due to “improper feeding”, the petitioner obtaining a stay on the animal slaughter, has, however, insisted that the animals had died of natural causes.
It may be recalled that the high court on April 22 had ordered the temporary stoppage of slaughtering of animals at Goa Meat Complex, Usgao, following a petition by Govansh Raksha Abhiyan (GRA) alleging irregularities.
The court had also directed the GMC not to return custody of any animals to any persons until further orders. At that time, there were 132 cattle and the petitioners had reportedly taken the responsibility to feed the animals.
The High Court then passed an interim order on April 30 allowing Goa Meat Complex to slaughter the animals, but under certain conditions. The first death of cattle in custody of Goa Meat Complex was reported on April 26 and till date, the number of deaths has reached 14.
Sources in GMC informed that four cattle had died since the last five days and few more are on the verge of death. “The deaths have occurred basically due to improper feeding and even the post-mortem reports have confirmed it,” said a source from Goa Meat Complex.
When contacted, GRA President Hanumant Parab refuted the claims and said the cattle had died due to injuries.
“The Cattle had died due to natural causes. The animals fight among themselves and had resulted in injuries and even fractures. The post-mortem reports stated that injuries that could have resulted in the deaths,” said Parab.
Parab had also sought to highlight the difficulties in maintaining the animals at the GMC. “Every day, we incur about Rs 8,000-9,000 to feed the cattle. We will write to the court informing it about our economic plight as the government is also not ready to help us in this regard,” added Parab.
