MARGAO
Milkmen from the villages of Seraulim and Nuvem are up in arms over what they termed the illegal lifting of their cattle by members of a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
The milkmen alleged that despite their cattle being tagged by the Veterinary Department, members of the NGO had taken the animals to a gaushala but had failed to return them to their owners.
The milkmen assembled near the Seraulim Milk Dairy on Sunday to express solidarity with milkman Sultan, whose eight cattle were allegedly taken away by NGO members nearly six months ago and have not been returned.
Sultan, who has lodged a police complaint at Verna police station against the NGO, told the media, in the presence of milkmen from Seraulim and Nuvem, that his cattle were his only source of livelihood. “It has been nearly six months since my cattle were taken away by the NGO. I earn my livelihood by rearing cattle and have four children to look after. My cattle were my only source of income. How will my family and I survive without them?” he asked.
Sultan said he had repeatedly contacted one of the NGO members seeking the return of his cattle but had allegedly been given assurances without any action being taken.
“I have been repeatedly asking him to return my cattle. For the last six months, he has only been promising to do so. I do not know why he is dragging his feet on the matter. The government should investigate the incident,” he said.
The milkmen from the two villages expressed shock and outrage over the alleged action and appealed to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to intervene and protect the livelihood of cattle-rearing farmers.
They alleged that NGOs were authorised to take away cattle found loitering on roads or in open spaces but had no right to take away animals belonging to farmers.“These members of the NGOs are supposed to take away cattle found on roads and in open spaces. They have no right to take animals from cattle owners. These NGOs do not rear cattle; they only take the animals to their gaushalas,” the milkmen alleged.
