TEAM HERALD
PONDA: Tension ran high at the Goa Meat Complex (GMC) in Usgao-Ponda on Tuesday, when 10 bulls were brought for slaughter in the presence of a police force a day ahead of the Eid celebrations.
While the Govansha Rakshya Abhiyan (GRA) strongly protested and claimed that authorities had violated High Court directives, the Association of All Goa Muslim Jamaats expressed disappointment with the government for not facilitating animal slaughter for the purpose of sacrifice in accordance with Sharia law. (Related report on page 7)
According to reports, the 10 bulls were brought to the GMC to be slaughtered on the occasion of Eid al-Adha on Wednesday. The GMC took custody of the animals after completing the necessary formalities under the supervision of Ponda Joint Mamladar Snehal Prabhu.
The situation was tense in Usgao and a large police force was deployed as part of the security arrangements in view of Section 144 invoked by
the Ponda deputy collector.
In the morning, two GRA volunteers were detained by Ponda police after they were found allegedly installing a tent within the prohibited 1 km radius of the GMC. Both volunteers were later released on bail.
NGO members later installed a temporary tent at the Usgao Tisk circle, beyond the 1 km radius from GMC, to carry out their protest demanding a law to ban cattle slaughter.
GRA President Hanumant Parab said that a complaint will be filed against the four doctors, the persons who brought the bulls and a minister for allegedly violating the High Court directives.
“There is clear-cut violation of High Court directives as the bulls brought did not have proper documentation and the animals are in a healthy condition. The authorities have sidelined my protest and I will bring this to the notice of the High Court,” complained GRA President, Hanumant Parab who is also one of the NGO representatives to monitor entry of animals.
Prabhu later stated that objection raised by the NGO representative will be forwarded to the authorities.
Meanwhile, Shaik Iftikar from the Goa Muslim Forum denied the claims of GRA and said: “All documents are in order and the bulls are over 12 years of age. We have been following the tradition since ages of slaughtering cattle as sacrifice on the occasion of Eid-al-Adha.”
Ponda Deputy Collector Johnson Fernandes, Ponda Mamledar Amol Gaonkar, Ponda PI CL Patil along with over 50 policemen were present in and around the GMC.
