the goan I network
MARGAO
Ridiculing the beef shortage in the State, Congress Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco on Saturday slammed the coalition government accusing it of being hand in glove with cow vigilantes and maintained he was convinced that the BJP government in Goa manufactures beef shortage issue to suit its divisive agenda.
“If Manohar Parrikar’s government in Goa was strong in its resolve to protect the plurality of Goemkars by respecting their diverse food habits, beef shortage would have never ever risen in the State. The government is in league with cow vigilantes who unfortunately are calling the shots and the former has become a mouse in front of them,” Reginaldo told the media on Saturday.
He said that Goa, which has been the abode of peace and tranquility, has also come under the radar of sectarian right wing and the unfortunate indicator is the beef shortage in the state, which he added has been engineered by the BJP through its rabble-rousers, the cow vigilantes.
“Sad to state even Goa’s Animal Husbandry Minster has become an expert in lying to my LAQ No 013 of the last session dated February 22 last. He had the audacity to tell white lies that no beef shortage has occurred in Goa during Christmas of 2017 and New Year of 2018,” he said.
He referred to the president of the All Goa Qureshi Meat Traders Association, Manna Bepari, who had cited harassment to people involved in beef trade and had called for strict action against the vigilantes who block vehicles carrying beef.
When the media sought to know the common complaint of beef eaters that the price of the meat is being increased every now and then, Reginaldo said he would take up the issue with the beef traders.
