Weeks after the Maharashtra government enforced a law banning beef trade, the Malegaon police have booked three persons for allegedly slaughtering two calves.
Police suspect that even after the recent ban the business of supplying beef was being carried out surreptitiously in Malegaon, 104 km from Nashik. This town is from where a large chunk of beef is supplied to other towns and cities.
Confirming the development, Additional Superintendent of Police, Malegaon, Sunil Kadasane told The Indian Express, “We had source-based information that the two calves were illegally smuggled for slaughtering in an abandon shop within the jurisdiction of Azad Nagar police station. A team was sent but by then the accused had fled from the spot.”
The BJP-led government in the state had approved the Maharashtra Animal Prevention Bill, first introduced two decades ago to extend a ban already in force on killing of cows, to bulls and bullocks.
Abattoirs in the state, including in Mumbai’s Deonar, were shut down after pressure, reportedly from the Vishva Hindu Parishad.
“We have seized the meat dumped in a polythene bag. Once we get the accused, we will get a clear picture on how the animal was sneaked into the town and who was the recipient of it,” Kadasane said.
The three booked by the police under sections 5 and 9 of the amended Act are Asif Talathi, Hameed alias Landi and Rashid alias Pandiya.
All three are on the run. The police have seized 150 kg of beef worth Rs 35,000.
Source : Indian Express