Team Herald
PANJIM: Beef traders in Goa have demanded that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar fulfill his commitment and import beef from the neighbouring States to solve the problem faced by them.
Beef traders, under the banner of Qureshi Meat Traders’ Association (QMTA), said they have been forced to shut their shops indefinitely beginning Saturday, as beef suppliers have stopped import alleging harassment at the hands of NGOs and members of the Animal Welfare Board.
QMTA General Secretary Anwar Bepari, addressing the media, said, “Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar during the monsoon session had said that if there is shortage of beef in the State, the government would import beef and supply it to the traders. In the absence of import of beef, we demand that the Chief Minister fulfill his commitment and import beef for us.”
He claimed that their only source of livelihood has been forced to be shut due to the sudden stop of beef import.
QMTA President Manna Bepari said that concerned about the harassment by cow vigilantes, NGOs and members of animal welfare board, beef suppliers in Goa have called for an indefinite strike in the State.
He said, “Beef suppliers are wary about being singled out and targeted for carrying out beef trade in Goa with the claim that the business is being done illegally. We are not slaughtering cattle across the border, we purchase beef from wholesalers and supply in Goa. While doing this we bring along copies of all the relevant documents needed from various doctors and agencies. Yet, keeping aside all these facts our business is being termed illegal.”
Manna further demanded that the government make Goa Meat Complex functional at the earliest and in the meanwhile, import beef and supply it to the traders for sale.
“Beef is part of the diet of the locals as well as tourists and the government should ensure that the people’s right to livelihood is protected,” he stated.
Our Margao Correspondent adds: All beef selling shops in Margao’s SGPDA market and Gandhi market were closed on Saturday and shoppers had to return empty handed.
The strike by beef vendors affected the celebrations of many Catholics from Cansaulim and Chandor who had to do without beef on their buffet table on the feast of the epiphany.
“We are forced to go to our old favourite feast recipe of pork and nobody knows when the government will strike that down too,” said O D’Silva, a housewife from Chandor.
Aslam Bepari, a beef vendor said that fringe elements appear to be determined to stop the sale of beef in Goa. “Every time there is a minority festival, these elements wake up and create problems for us to get beef,” he said.
He said that the certificate considered valid till a day earlier has now become invalid and wondered from where they would get the new certificate.
