The facilities and manpower are present but the will seems to be absent in and around Curchorem, as efforts to curb the stray cattle menace have met with little success.
Stray cattle have been occupying the main roads linking Curchorem with neighbouring villages as well as the market area of Curchorem town. The situation has reached such an extent that many roads are now infested with stray cattle and many motorists have met with accidents after being unable to spot stray cattle at night.
People have now reacted strongly to the lethargic attitude of the Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council (CCMC) and other panchayats in dealing with the problem.
“The government should ensure and see that municipalities and panchayats do their work thoroughly to safeguard the interest of the motorists, before implementing the rule for compulsory wearing of helmets for riders and pillion riders. By wearing helmets, we will save our head but what about our hands and legs,” asked local higher secondary teacher, Arun Velgeunkar. “Authorities should remove stray cattle from the road at the earliest.”
Former CCMC Councillor Manohar Naik said the council has not been doing any work in public interest and added that it was only interested in collecting money by increasing taxes and rent.
“Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral is doing the work of clearing garbage and therefore, the entry of stray cattle into the market has minimised to some extent. But, the council still cannot stop stray cattle from entering the market as well as on the roads. The panchayats are also reluctant to act in the matter,” said Naik.
When contacted, Cabral claimed that the post of pound keeper had already been filled in the CCMC to take care of stray cattle. Besides, a shed was also constructed to house the impounded cattle. It is now the duty of the council and panchayats to keep the market and roads free from the stray cattle menace.” said Cabral.
He also informed that a special designed vehicle was given to Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) to lift the stray cattle.
“The CCMC and panchayats can co-ordinate with the CCP and seek its help in this regard. If the CCMC and panchayats cannot impound stray cattle, they must at least drive away the stray cattle away to ensure that roads and pavements in the market are free from any hindrance,” Cabral added.
Confirming that the CCMC had constructed a stray cattle pound and had appointed a pound keeper, CCMC Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes informed that the stray cattle were earlier impounded in the shed at Cacora.
“However, the impounded stray cattle began to disappear at night and so, we stopped impounding them in the absence of an alternate place to house them,” said Fernandes.
Asked to explain why the pound keeper was unable to do his job in tackling the stray cattle menace, Fernandes claimed: “The pound keeper does drive away stray cattle from the market and roads.”
Informing about the High Court order, Fernandes said that the State government has to sanction grants to all police stations in the State to equip them to catch the stray cattle.
When asked if the Curchorem police had received any order or grants from the government to handle stray cattle, Police Inspector Ravindra Dessai said: “It is the duty of municipal councils and panchayats. We can only give them protection during the drive, if they ask for it.”
