SANGUEM
Acting on the Deputy Collector’s order, authorities on Tuesday began shifting cattle from the Devasthan land at Deussua, Quepem, to a gaushala in Mayem.
The cattle, which were transported in tempos under the supervision of Quepem Mamlatdar Nathan Alfonso, Quepem Police, and officials of the Animal Husbandry Department, had reportedly been left exposed to rain since last week after eight sheds belonging to the Dhyan Foundation were allegedly demolished by unidentified persons.
Quepem Mamlatdar Nathan Alfonso said the relocation was initiated after the Dhyan Foundation failed to comply with the Deputy Collector’s order dated July 26, directing it to shift the cattle.
He further stated that the Foundation also failed to appear for hearings scheduled on July 27 and 28, compelling the administration to proceed with relocating the 109 cattle.
Tension prevailed at the site as members of the Dhyan Foundation questioned the procedure adopted by the authorities.
The Foundation alleged that the relocation was being carried out illegally under the supervision of the Mamlatdar, Animal Husbandry Department officials and Quepem Police. It claimed the order was served on July 26, giving only a 12-hour notice.
The Foundation further alleged that trucks not legally permitted to transport cattle, along with a crane, entered the gaushala premises under heavy police protection and began forcefully loading the animals, many of which were already traumatised.
It claimed that around 15 sick and handicapped cattle were also being shifted despite having reconstructed a temporary shed for them and submitting an application to the SDM seeking modification of the order to exempt animals unfit for transportation, citing the risk of casualties.
The Dhyan Foundation also alleged that several cattle had gone missing following the demolition of the sheds and claimed that no efforts had been made by the authorities to trace them.
