THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
The Quraishi Meat Traders Association (QMTA) on Wednesday slammed the introduction of the bill to ban cow slaughter in Karnataka and urged the State government to restart the Goa Meat Complex on priority.
“The government should hold a discussion with the management of the Goa Meat Complex to restart the operation at the meat complex. The government should also invite us for the meeting,” said QMTA President Manna Bepari.
“We often get frozen beef from Karnataka. But if the government begins operation of the factory at the Goa Meat Complex, people of Goa will get hygienic beef,” Bepari added.
The Quraishi Meat Traders Association chief along with other office bearers was addressing a news conference in Mapusa.
Continuing, Bepari said the factory at the Goa Meat Complex was built in 1984 but it has been lying closed for the last several years.
“Only during the Eid festival, the government allows slaughtering at the factory with police protection and by enforcing Section 144. They are doing this as though they are doing a favour to the Muslim community. The factory was built because of us but no one is focusing on it,” he said.
He further stated that almost Rs 9 crore was spent to refurbish the meat complex some time back, but it has been kept closed for reasons best known to the government.
Decrying the attempt to bring the stringent Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2020, Bepari said the passage of the bill will only encourage illegality.
“Some vigilante groups will start harassing us and demand money to transport the livestock even if we have all the permissions. We have already been facing many such attacks but with the passage of the bill, the attacks will only increase,” he said.
The passage of a bill to ban cow slaughter in Karnataka has affected the supply of beef and livestock in the State. Over 40 percent of people in Goa consume beef, besides there is also demand of beef from the hotel industry.
According to Shaikh Shabir Bepari, treasurer of the association the beef ban will have a ripple effect as it will not only affect consumers but also the farmers who won’t be able to sell cattle.
He further said that tourism and the leather industry will also be affected due to the ban on cow slaughter.
Anwar Bepari, general secretary of the association, also spoke at the news conference.
