PANAJI
After a gap of four years, the Qurbani ceremony on Eid-ul-Zuha will be performed at the Goa Meat Complex (GMC) in Usgao-Ponda as meat traders managed to get six buffaloes and two bulls from Karnataka for slaughter at the abattoir.
Speaking to The Goan, Goa Meat traders Association President Manna Quereshi said they had managed to overcome hurdles in their bid to get the animals to the abattoir.
“We are conducting the Qurbani ceremony at the GMC after a long time. We could not bring more cattle for slaughter given the limited time as we need at least 15 days to gather cattle for slaughter,” said Quereshi President of Goa Meat traders Association.
The government has imposed Section 144 near the GMC area to avoid any disturbance from the organisations which are opposed to cattle slaughter at the GMC.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had recently convened a meeting with GMC officials along with meat traders and directed authorities to facilitate animal transportation for slaughter at the GMC.
The abattoir had been closed since 2017 for repairs and upgradation in facilities, but animal activists and NGOs had raised objections in efforts to reopen the abattoir.
When the GMC upgraded the abattoir, the meat traders faced further difficulties in procuring cattle from Karnataka due to the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 2020, which widened the ambit of the prohibition by covering buffaloes below the age of 13 years.
The law enacted by Karnataka earlier this year allows authorities to conduct a search and seize operations. It also gives powers to officials to conduct raid and seize cattle during transportation outside the state if there is no valid certification from a veterinarian or competent authority.
Following this act, Belagavi district police have beefed up checks along the border with Goa and were inspecting papers by those transporting the cattle and only permitting those carrying appropriate papers as per the act.
The strict penalties, which included imprisonment, in the act had scared meat suppliers in and around Belagavi, while cow vigilantes were also keeping a close watch on cattle being transported to Goa.
This had made it difficult for meat traders in the State to procure animals from Karnataka and concerted efforts were made to get cattle for slaughter ahead of Eid-ul-Zuha.
Slaughter to go on after Eid as per High Court order: Quereshi
PANAJI: Goa Meat traders Association President Manna Quereshi said cattle slaughter would continue even after Eid-ul-Zuha.
“The high court has given clear directions to the State government to allow slaughter at the GMC following all necessary criteria. Hence, cattle slaughter will continue after Eid,” said Quereshi.
He stated that the high court had in 2016 directed the Goa Meat Complex to be made functional and to provide services to meat traders in the State.
