Team Herald
PANJIM: Quraishi Meat Traders Association (QMTA) has requested the government to provide police protection from cow vigilantes in the State.
Stating that the beef business is being carried out legally, under directions of the Animal Husbandry Department and Goa Meat Complex, QMTA President Manna Bepari said that cow vigilantes will not be allowed to succeed in the State.
Referring to the incident which has been termed as illegal transportation of beef by Govansh Raksha Abhiyan, Bepari said, “It was waste being transported, which as per the directions of the Supreme Court has to be disposed-off scientifically and the State has provided a plant at Goa Meat Complex.”
He said some NGOs have tried to raise false alarms that illegal slaughter of cattle is being carried out in Goa. “We would like to state that there is no illegal activity going on in the State and slaughter of bulls and buffaloes is carried out at Goa Meat Complex which is a legal, government-run slaughter house,” he added.
Stating that a scenario like Uttar Pradesh will not be allowed in Goa, Bepari said, “We will not allow cow vigilantism to happen in Goa as our State is different from the rest of the country. Our trade is legal with all permissions and regardless of religious beliefs we have been living in harmony and carrying out our businesses.”
He further said, “We request Animal Husbandry Department to come clean on the issue as the department’s legal slaughter house is being questioned and the legal trade being termed illegal.”
Bepari said the Association would support any and all NGOs to stop illegalities in the State, if any exist. He said, “We would request Govansh Raksha Abhiyan and other animal welfare NGOs to inform us if they suspect any illegality as QMTA does not support any illegal trade. We will stand with them against any kind of illegal and unlawful activity in Goa.”
