Prevent cow vigilantes from harassing cattle traders on Bakrid: Owaisi to TS DGP

Hyderabad: The AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP, Asaduddin Owaisi, on Tuesday wrote to Telangana director general of police alleging that Gau Rakshaks were harassing cattle traders and transporters and seizing animals on the eve of Bakrid.

Mr. Owaisi wrote, "We would like to bring to your kind notice that an alarming situation is being created by anti-social elements in Hyderabad, Cyberabad, Rachakonda, and other places in the Telangana region. Cow vigilantes are trying to harass people trading in or transporting oxen and buffaloes on the eve of Bakrid."

He further requested the DGP to instruct police officers not to insist on certificates from veterinary doctors regarding the age and fitness of the animals for slaughter and ask them not to book cases for overcrowding of animals in vehicles. He pointed out that there are no norms regarding the number of animals that can be transported in different types of commercial and heavy vehicles.

Bakrid (Id-ul-Zuha) is being celebrated on 21 July when Muslims sacrifice goats, sheep, and bulls for three days - 21, 22, and 23 July this year. Traditionally, thousands of sheep, goats, and bulls were brought to Hyderabad and other main towns and cities for sale on the eve of Bakrid. Almost 50 per cent of the 44 lakh Muslims in Telangana lives in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation area.

The MP added that Muslims have to sacrifice goats, sheep, and cattle (oxen) only if they are healthy and fit for consumption. The sacrifice of unhealthy, sick, aged, or emaciated animals is strictly prohibited. "There is no question of sacrificing animals that are declared unfit or condemned or are very old and emaciated. The police, municipal, revenue, and veterinary officials who man these check-posts have to ensure that sick, aged, and condemned animals cannot be sacrificed during Bakrid," said the MP.

He asked the DGP to issue clear instructions to Hyderabad, Cyberabad, Rachkonda, and other police commissionerates and superintendents of police as well as other officials assisting them and ask them not to prevent the transport of oxen and buffaloes to various places in the state, particularly Hyderabad.

"The police officers manning the check-posts maybe specifically directed not to harass the traders/transporters of oxen and buffaloes and not book cases or seize these animals," he added.