The protestors gathered outside the Goa Police Headquarters and submitted a memorandum to IGP Sunil Garg, demanding a proper investigation in the case, stopping of all illegal trafficking of meat and strict checking as well as fixing CCTVs along Goa’s border check posts.
Under the banner of Animal Lovers Goa, various organizations including the Animal Rescue Squad, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Hindu Janjagruti Samiti joined a march that was initially meant to be a silent one, but grew into a loud protest, with people from Bicholim, Canacona and Vasco joining in.
Singh and Parab were both hurt in an attack on February 12 evening, as they were returning from Belgaum. They said they were beaten, since they were trying to stop illegal trade and slaughtering of cows within Goa and neighbouring states.
“We suspect a network of people from Goa as well as outside the State are behind this attack,” Parab said as he narrated the sequence of events that led to the attack.
Animal lovers from all over the State joined the activists in highlighting the main issue of illegal cow slaughter and trading. “It has been 13 days since the attack and there has still not been any progress in the case. We have therefore asked the government to hand over the case to the CBI for further investigation,” said Kamlesh Bandekar, president, Bharat Swabhimaan, Goa Unit.
IGP Garg appointed SP Umesh Gaonkar as special officer heading the investigation. Celebrity Hema Sardessai too joined the crowds in protesting the harsh and inhumane treatment of cattle in illegal slaughter houses. Meanwhile, about 50 people under the banner Govansh Raksha Abhiyan (GRA) on Tuesday staged a protest rally in the city to demand arrest of those involved in the attack.
Before addressing the public at Valpoi Municipal Council (VMC) stage, the GRA members marched to Valpoi police station and had discussion with Valpoi PI Sanjay Dalvi.
