Udupi: The Vishwa Hindu Parishath (VHP) and Bajrang Dal will stage a protest on Wednesday, July 3 against cattle trafficking and demanding proper implementation of anti-cow slaughter laws.
Addressing a press conference at the Udupi Press Club here on Saturday, June 29, Sunil K R, Zonal Coordinator of Bajrang Dal said that there had been continuous cattle thefts in the Udupi district. “This will disturb communal harmony and peace in the region. The cattle thefts and slaughter are increasing in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts without the fear of the police and law. The police should take stringent action against those who illegally transport cattle,” he said.
Sunil said, “There is only one approved slaughterhouse in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts but there are more than 300 beef stalls and 2,000 illegal abattoirs. From where do they get cattle?,” he questioned.
“Police in both the districts have failed to curb cattle thefts and illegal transportation of cattle. The state government always says that it is in favour of farmers and promotion of dairies and increased Rs 2 for milk per litre but it has failed to protect cattle thefts and illegal slaughtering,” he added.
“The police department and district administration should be held accountable for cow trafficking. Our protest has been mainly to create awareness among people on cattle transportation and thefts. There is no system to control illegal cattle transporting and slaughtering in the state. We demand that these illegal activities are stopped,” said Sunil. He lauded Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sandeep Patil’s initiative to form special squads to check incidents of cattle trafficking. “Such action should be taken by the Udupi Police also,” he added.
Responding to a question on why the BJP MPs and MLAs from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts were not pressing the union government to take up measures to stop illegal slaughtering, Sunil said, “Our stand is clear and there is no link to politics and Bajrang Dal. We have decided to hand over an appeal to all the MLAs and MPs in of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada to put pressure on the state and central governments. The VHP and Bajrang Dal will hold protests at taluk levels as well as in all the legislative assembly constituencies on July 3 to stop cattle trafficking, illegal slaughtering and proper implementation of anti-cow slaughter laws.”
District Convener of Bajrang Dal Dinesh Mendon, VHP District Secretary Pramod Mandarthi, Bajrang Dal Go Raksha Pramuk Dinesh Shetty, General Secretary Hindu Jagarana Vedike Prakash Kukkehalli and others were present during the press meet.
