‘Harassed’ by those opposing slaughter,beef traders protest

Anis Qureshi,president of the city wing of the All India Jamait-ul-Quresh,of which all traders are a part,said,“We generally buy old animals from in and around Pune from farmers which they can no longer use in farms. As cow slaughter is banned in the state from 1973,we don’t buy cows and are aware of the religious sentiments involved. But we are being harassed on baseless grounds. Those who snatch these animals from us sell them while claiming we are involved in unethical treatment of animals.”

Qureshi said if no action is taken,the strike will spread to the rest of the state. With Eid round the corner,it will be a set back for customers and business will suffer as many traders also supply to many of the high-end restaurants in the city,he added.

The animals are brought into the city from Satara,Phaltan,Baramati,Solapur Road,Daund,Nagar and so on. About 1,500 animals are sold in Pune daily,while another 20,000 sent to Mumbai from here,the traders said.

Previously,action has been taken against some beef traders from Saswad,Loni Kalbhor,Yevat and Bhor and the animals have been sent to gaushalas under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,a senior police officer said. Pratap Dighavkar,SP (Rural) said,“The persons involved in the transport have been found to be carrying about 10-12 animals,while they have permission for four or five. So we have registered cases against them. On the other hand we have also lodged cases against the groups that have allegedly attacked these vehicles. Investigation in all these cases are going on.”

Hafeez Qureshi,a beef trader from Shivaji Market,said,“All 43 stalls in our market have licence from Pune Municipal Corporation,Pune Cantonment Board and so on . We also get the medical certificates for the animals from the authorities at the Central Building.”