PANJIM: Raising apprehensions that stoppage of beef supplies might lead to communal problems, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar appealed to certain NGOs and animal lovers not to stop the supply of beef from neighbouring States.
While the Chief Minister used the State Legislative Assembly forum to drive home the importance of beef in the cuisine of minorities, his colleague from the ruling coalition – MGP MLA Lavoo Mamledar – demanded that cow slaughter should be banned in Goa.
The statement invited sharp reaction from the minority MLAs including Caitano Silva, Michael Lobo and Nilesh Cabral.
“Cow slaughter should be banned in the State,” Mamledar said while participating in a discussion during calling attention motion moved by Independent MLA Naresh Sawal.
Earlier, Chief Minister said that the State’s population comprises 38 percent minorities, where beef is part of their cuisine. “I feel people should not be party to stop supply of beef from other States to Goa,” Parsekar said, adding NGOs can take police protection to prevent atrocities against animals.
“But they should not stop beef supplies, which can create communal disharmony,” he said.
Sawal said that government should conduct proper check to ensure that better quality beef is supplied to Goans. ‘I am not against beef but government should ensure that good quality beef is supplied to Goa from other states,” he said demanding that illegal cow slaughter should be banned.
The discussion was on calling attention motion that raised the issue of attack on animal welfare activist Amrut Singh last month and sought to know the steps taken by government to avoid such instances in the future. Replying to the same, the chief minister told the House that the masterminds behind the recent attack on them, for opposing the illegal transportation of beef in the State, were from Belgaum (Karnataka).
“It seems that the masterminds behind the attack on them were from Belgaum. It was organized by some beef traders from that area, who were supplying beef to Goa,” Parsekar said, adding that “lack of evidence have left police clueless about the attackers”.
The complainant was attacked over the issue of filing complaint against the transportation of illegal beef from Karnataka to Goa via Chorla Ghat, the chief minister said. During the course of further investigation, a total of 32 butchers from all over Goa and Belgaum were interrogated, but no evidence came on record of their involvement.
