Daijiworld Media Network - Moodbidri (SP)

Moodbidri, Jun 22: Of late, there have been a number of cattle thefts, some of which were brazen, on account of which dairy farmers were losing their precious cattle to cattle traffickers. There had been some cases in which the families were threatened and animals were dragged away in their presence. The harassed farmers had pleaded with the police to come to their rescue as culprits always succeeded in escaping from getting caught.

Police personnel from the station in the town raided an illegal slaughterhouse at Handelu in the outskirts of the town on Wednesday June 21. They took into possession 19 cattle including a few calves and various equipment meant for slaughtering them from the spot.

Local police inspector, Ramachandra Nayak, and sub-inspectors, Dejappa and Shankar Nairy led the raid on the slaughterhouse which had been operational at Mundelu hillock behind Handelu mosque. Three persons who were looking after the slaughterhouse fled after coming to know of the raid. The accused who gave a slip to police personnel have been identified as Bavu Beary, Hameed, and Nissar. 12 cows, three male calves, three female calves, and a buffalo calf were found from the spot. Two machetes used for slaughtering cows, wooden block used for cutting meat, metal table used for storing the beef, tray, and clothes of the accused have been taken into custody by the police.

It is open secret that the thicket at Handelu Gudde hillock has been housing slaughterhouses since decades. When passing through this area,people are covered with apprehension and fear. Decomposed beef, bones of bovine animals and other waste dumped in a pit formed for the purpose at the spot has been a permanent feature of this area. People want to know whether it is really possible to clear Handelu of its bad reputation. It might be possible only if people's representatives join hands in this effort.