MARGAO
Beef stalls ran empty in the commercial capital and Salcete countryside on Monday after the beef traders went on a flash strike in protest against what they termed as the assault on traders at the PDA market by members of Gau Rakshas on Saturday.
Christmas shoppers were badly affected by the flash strike announced by the beef traders as they downed their shutters on Monday, warning that they would go on an indefinite strike unless the assailants were nabbed, and the government reined in the cow vigilantes and provided police protection for the vehicles transporting beef from the Goa Meat Complex to various parts of Goa.
The traders demanded the immediate intervention of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to rein in the vigilantes, saying the situation does not augur well for a progressive State like Goa.
Sheikh Iftikar said the Pramod Sawant government should be proactive, as was the Manohar Parrikar dispensation when the former chief minister had even ordered the imposition of section 144 to keep miscreants at bay.
“Who are these people stopping vehicles carrying meat from the Goa Meat Complex when the Goa Meat Complex only slaughters buffaloes and is certified by doctors?” Iftikar questioned.
He added, “Have these people replaced officials representing government departments such as the FDA and Animal Husbandry and been allowed to take the law into their own hands? Goa is a brand, with people coming here to enjoy the unique culture. When people are gearing up for the Christmas and New Year festivities, these miscreants try to disturb peace and amity among the people of Goa.”
Beef stalls at the SGPDA market, Gandhi market, and other places were shut down during the strike, leaving customers caught in the crossfire.
Christmas shoppers, who headed to the SGPDA market for meat purchases in the morning, only found the stalls shut, leaving them to return home disappointed.
Uncertainty over resumption of beef supply ahead of Christmas
Beef supplies to the cold storages in Margao and across Goa were affected on Monday due to the strike by the beef traders in the State, but what may cause concern for the Christian community is that the resumption of beef supplies on Tuesday appears bleak and remote.
There was no slaughter of animals at the Goa Meat Complex, as a result of which there was no supply to the cold storage units across the State on Monday. Supplies from Belagavi to the cold storage units were also affected on Monday due to a lack of consignments coming from the neighbouring state.
The prospects of resuming beef supply on Tuesday appear bleak as the slaughter of animals at the Goa Meat Complex is not expected to resume even on Tuesday, with hardly any animals brought for slaughter.
President of the All Goa Cold Storage Owners Association Vernon Lobo told 'The Goan' that cold storage units ran dry for want of beef supplies on Monday. He said the beef supply chain was severely affected on Monday, with beef neither being supplied from the Goa Meat Complex nor any consignment of beef coming from the neighbouring state.
“The possibility of resumption of supplies of beef from the Goa Meat Complex is bleak for the moment. Our inquiries have revealed that the GMC complex will not take up the slaughter of three or six animals, and all will depend on whether more animals will be brought for slaughter on Tuesday,” he said.
Lobo admitted that people normally make meat purchases for Christmas two or three days before the festival, adding that no one will come for shopping on Christmas Day. “We are keeping our fingers crossed over the resumption of supplies on Tuesday. Let us wait and watch,” he added.
