PONDA: Taking advantage of COVID-19 pandemic induced lockdown, stray cattle are stolen for slaughtering purpose in Ponda Taluka, stated an NGO on Friday and demanded that the Ponda Police take strict action against the culprits by imposing a harsh Section under Cruelty to Animal Act.
While addressing the media persons at Kranti Maidan, here, NGO members Rajiv Jaa and Sanmitra Naik informed that they intercepted one vehicle transporting two bullocks at Borim-Bethora road on Thursday without documents and filed a complaint at Ponda Police Station.
However, later the accused arrested were released on bail.
Rajiv demanded that it should not be registered a non cognizable case but harsh Section under Animal Cruelty Act should be imposed so that the offence registered is non-bailable and in future the cattle are not stolen.
“The accused should not be allowed to be release immediately on bail by the police hence strict Sections should be applied against those involved in transportation of cattle without proper documents,” he added.
He said since past, there is an experience that the police register a non cognizable case and release the accused just on fine of Rs 10 to 50.
The NGO members alleged that during last lockdown also the cattle were stolen.
Sanmitra demanded strict action against the people involved in illegal transportation of cattle.
He said the accused later told the police that they were transporting the bullocks at Fatorda for agriculture purpose.
He asked, “If it is for agricultural purpose there should be documents. Here, the owner did not visit the police station after the vehicle was seized despite called by the police.”
Meanwhile, Ponda Police said taking cognisance of complaint filed by the NGO members they arrested one accuse for illegal transportation of two bullocks and released him on bail.
“The two bullocks rescued were shifted to a shelter house,” said the NGO members.
