PANJIM, FEB 1
Animal Welfare activists have demanded Goa Government to stop illegal cow slaughtering, which is practiced on a large scale.
Addressing a press conference today Akhil Vishwa Jai Sri Ram Gau Sanvardhan Kendra and Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Animal Rescue President (VHPAR) Hanumanth Parab said that Government should follow the Goa Slaughterhouse Act, which prohibits slaughtering.
“Government should hang the person found slaughtering cows…Hindus worship the cow,” he said.
The animal welfare group has also demanded to shut down all illegal slaughtering houses.
It has given one-month ultimatum to come to a decision failing which the activists have threatened to come on the streets.
The group has also sought amending laws at the State and Central level so as the butchers do not misuse the loopholes in the existing laws.
The activists alleged the Government of turning a blind eye towards illegal slaughter houses doing business in the State. Even as some raids have taken place, the authorities have failed to enforce stringent action.
Nine bulls, 64 pigs and 10 tons of meat, which were being taken to an abattoir, were seized by Collem police at Mollem check-post on Monday.
The ‘unhygienic’ meat packages were brought to Goa from the neighbouring State of Karnataka. Twelve persons were arrested and six vehicles seized.
Parab alleged that the Government does not pay heed to the grievances by the animal rescue groups and instead patronage the illegal doers.
He said that the arrested-men referred names of Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and Public Works Department minister Churchill Alemao to the Mollem police to release them.
Panjim Welfare Animals Society (PAWS) has backed AVPAR demands. PAWS secretary Angela Kazi released details of around 25 slaughter houses operating in Goa illegally.
The activists have proposed meeting the chief minister in respect to brutalities against animals even though the latter has till date refused to meet the former.
“We want the Government to keep a constant vigil on the check-posts from where illegal and unhygienic meat comes to Goa…The department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services are sleeping over the issue,” Kazi stated.
She further said that they are not against meat available provided it comes from Goa Meat Complex which is a designated slaughter house in Goa.
