MARGAO
Beef consumers from Margao and Salcete were caught in the cross fire as Gau Rakshaks clashed with meat traders at the SGPDA market on Saturday morning.
Coming as it does on the eve of Christmas festivities, questions were raised over the supply of beef in the market in the next two days. Customers also raised questions why certain people are hell bent in vitiating the atmosphere ahead of the Christmas festivities, while demanding government’s intervention to ensure smooth supply of beef and meat during the festive season.
A couple of early morning customers to the SGPDA beef and meat stalls had to return home empty handed after they found the meat stalls shut down for some time after the clash as the meat traders had all gone to the Fatorda police station to lodge complaints against the Gau Rakshaks.
The customers pointed out that the government will have to step in to crack a whip against all those fomenting trouble on the eve of Christmas festivities. “The government should take the responsibility to ensure supply of beef during the Christmas festival. The government should crack a whip to nip communal elements raising their ugly heads in the markets,” remarked a customer.
Another customer wondered why the Gau Rakshaks did not seek police protection to inspect the vehicles reportedly supplying beef from Karnataka to the market.
“The incident could have been avoided if the Gau Raksha members had come with police protection to check the vehicles,” the customer added.
