Shadow Correspondent
Jammu,Feb, 28
Seeking a probe into the transportation of over 300 cows to Manipur from Belicharana farm and the death of several cows and calves during transit, several NPP activists led by Mr. Harsh Dev Singh Chairman-JKNPP & former Minister staged a massive protest at Exhibition ground in Jammu today. The angry protestors, raised slogans against the UT administration Animal Husbandry Department J&K and local officers for allowing the carriage of bovines to Manipur in a hush hush manner raising speculations over the fate of transportation of cows to North-East known for its brutality against cows and other bovines. They raised slogans of “BJP govt Hai Hai, Gau Hatyaron ko saza do, saza do”, Gau par atyachar nahin sahenge, nahi sahenge”, “Gau taskari karne walon par karwai karo, karwai, karwai karo”. The protestors sought stoppage of further transportation of remaining 400 cows of the said farm from Jammu to Manipur and other States and handing over their custody to locals at rates prescribed for their sale.
Addressing the gathering Mr. Harsh Dev Singh said that the transporters who were hired by authorities for carriage of the said cows had reported that during the ten day transit period, several cows had died in transit while dozens of cows had become senseless. It was further reported by them that atleast ten lactating cows gave birth to youngones in trucks several of whom expired during the course of transit. It has further been reported that dozens of cows were dragged out of the trucks in imphal to unload them as they got unconscious during the10 day arduous journey in the trucks with hardly any sufficient fodder to eat during transit. The extremely brutal and barbaric treatment to cows is a matter of serious concern and needs immediate probe in the light of starting revelations by transporters and truck operators” observed Singh.
Mr. Harsh Dev Singh further pointed out that after the closure of Belicharana dairy farm, the locals including BPL and Ex-servicemen Co-operatives had sought the custody of cows on payment of prescribed rates which however was denied to them. The local people had expressed apprehensions over the safety of cows on being transported to North East States. The people were skeptical not only over the possible ill-treatment to cows being transported to Manipur given the credentials of such states but also feared for their safety during transport as well which turned out to be true. The transportation of the bovines in trucks to Manipur taking 10-12 days, it was virtually impossible that they could remain safe during the course of such strenuous journey especially in a situation whom the ‘fieswal’ breed of cows needed drinking water after every 30-45 minutes, said Singh.
Mr. Harsh Dev Singh further regretted that not only were the demands of locals of the area for procurement of cows declined but the employees of the Belicharana farm were also refused the custody of the cows despite their willingness to pay the prescribed charges. He further lamented that all the casual workers serving in the said farm were terminated after rendering 15-20 years service and also denied the custody of cows.
Questioning the transportation of cows to outside states by overlooking the demands of locals, Mr. Singh said that the highly intriguing role of local UT officers needed to be thoroughly investigated. “Why was the demand of locals and other co-operatives rejected and who approved the transportation of said cows to Manipur and other States needed to be probed”, said Singh.
