KOCHI: The Meat Industries Welfare Association (MIWA) on Tuesday alleged cattle worth around Rs 3 crore were being seized by honorary animal welfare officers every week in South India.
According to MIWA president Salim MA, it is said these seized animals are shifted to various 'goshalas' in the four southern states.
"Even after the courts issue orders in favour of the aggrieved merchants, the seized cattle are never returned," he said. Salim said the association has been sending representations in this regard to the President, Prime Minister and chief ministers of the states concerned.
"All of them have promised to look into the situation," he said. "But questions still remain as to where these cattle have disappeared," said Salim.
"As per an RTI reply from the Animal Welfare Board of India, currently, there is no post of honorary animal welfare officer. According to the board chairman, the post has been cancelled," he said.
However, Salim's query seeking information on the officers concerned, doctors who had examined the animals, the FIRs filed against the so-called illegal transporters, and also the facilities available in the cattle shelter, failed to elicit any reply.
"The entire matter smells fishy. Why should they refrain from providing information?
The only reply that I got for my 11 questions is there are 87 cow shelters in four states. The authorities have no idea as to where the shelters are located or their condition," he said.
He said the cattle seizures have affected the livelihood of the people associated with the industry.
"More than 15 lakh people are directly or indirectly involved in the industry. Right from farmers to
the sellers - both in the case of meat and milch cattle - all associated with the industry are facing a tough
situation. If steps are not taken to prevent this daylight dacoity, the meat industry in the state will be badly affected," said Salim.