MARGAO
With the Muslim community bracing up for performing Qurbani from July 17-25, South Goa district Collector Ruchika Katyal has prohibited gathering of four or more persons in and around the periphery of the compound wall of the modernized abattoir, Usgao-Ponda and within one km radius from the compound wall of the abattoir, for a period of nine days with effect from 00.00 hours of July 17 till July 25 midnight.
The Collector has appointed three executive magistrates to take all precautionary measures to avoid any untoward incident and for maintaining law and order. They have been posted at the Pollem, Mollem check posts and at the Goa Meat Complex, Abattoir-Usgao to assist the police force in controlling the law and order situation as and when the animals/meat is being transported to Goa.
The order issued under section 144 of the CrPC has warned that any person contravening this Order shall be punishable under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.
In the order, the Collector stated that in the past, some incidents have occurred whereby some gathering had taken place near the modernized abattoir at Usgao, along with display of some anti-slaughter banners. “Such a situation can recur and cause intimidation and provocation among the members of the society. Such a situation may cause tension in the society leading to breach of communal peace and tranquility”, the order stated, adding that it is expedient to take preventive action against violence and serious law and order problems.
As per practice, the order stated that, the All Goa Muslim Jamaats Association will be transporting animals from other States via Mollem gate in Dharbandora taluka and Polem gate in Canacona taluku to be slaughtered at the modernized abattoir, Usgao during the Qurbani rituals.
The order stated: “During Qurbani Festival, the slaughtering at the Modernized Abattoir, situated at Usgao, which as of now is being monitored by the Hon'ble High Court of Bombay at Panaji and in furtherance to the directives issued by the Hon'ble High Court, a committee is constituted to monitor the entry of cattle that would be taken inside the modernized Abattoir for the purpose of slaughter”.
