Maharashtra strengthens actions against illegal slaughterhouses

Mumbai:

Mumbai:

cleared

The state government has directed police to investigate and take action under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against individuals, gangs or organisations that repeatedly engage in organised smuggling of cattle in violation of laws and rules.

Ahead of Bakri Eid (May 28), the state govt on Thursday issued fresh guidelines for preventing illegal transportation of cattle, illegal slaughter, unauthorised slaughterhouses and effective implementation of related laws. As per the new guidelines, all Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, as well as all Zilla Parishads, Panchayat Samitis and Gram Panchayats have been asked to identify unauthorised and unlicensed slaughterhouses within their jurisdiction and take action against them. The directives state that the Transport Department should regularly inspect vehicles transporting cattle illegally and take action as per the Motor Vehicles Act.

Reacting to the fresh guidelines, Muslim community leaders and Qureshi Jamats urged the cattle traders and community members to follow the guidelines. “Cow slaughter is already banned here. We are telling the traders not to violate the laws and follow the guidelines,” said Imran Babu Qureshi is nation vice-president, All India Jamiatul Quresh.

MLAs Amin Patel and Rais Shaikh, who attended the meeting called by chief secretary Rajesh Agrawal on Tuesday, said the community should not violate the laws. “While celebrating the festival, the sentiments of others should also be respected. Qurbani places should be covered properly,” said Patel. “Animal traders should follow the guidelines on the transportation of animals. Slaughter should be done only at designated places or at the societies which have secured permission,” said Shaikh.

The directives state that these local bodies must ensure that there are no unauthorised and unlicensed slaughterhouses in any area. The directives also state police should investigate and take action under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against individuals, gangs or organisations that repeatedly engage in organised smuggling of cattle in violation of laws and rules. The directives state that the Transport Department should regularly inspect vehicles transporting cattle illegally and take action as per the Motor Vehicles Act.

“As per the provisions of Article 48 of the Constitution of India, the govt is expected to make efforts to preserve and improve the breeds of cows and calves, as well as other milch animals, and to take appropriate steps or enact laws to prevent the slaughter of useful animals (especially cows and calves). The state govt has received representations from various organisations regarding appropriate action against cow smuggling, illegal transportation of cattle, unauthorised slaughterhouses, etc. Since the issue of law and order is arising, the matter of preservation, protection and conservation of cattle was under the consideration of the govt in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of India and various laws and rules,” a Govt Resolution (GR) stated.