Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, May 25: In a strong move against illegal cattle transport, unauthorised slaughter activities and animal cruelty, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Sunday issued a stern warning that any form of cow smuggling or slaughter will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
He directed all regional transport offices, deputy RTOs, border checkposts and enforcement units to launch intensive inspection drives from May 25 to 28, ahead of Bakri Eid. The special enforcement campaign will focus on border areas, major urban centres including Mumbai, and other sensitive routes across the state.
According to an official circular issued by the Transport Commissioner’s office, authorities have been instructed to set up checkpoints and conduct thorough vehicle inspections, particularly for those transporting animals. Officials must ensure strict verification of permits, health certificates and compliance with animal welfare regulations.
Sarnaik made it clear that strict action will be taken against any violations of the Motor Vehicles Act, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and relevant central laws. He said vehicles found illegally transporting animals will be immediately seized without exception.
He also stated that past inspections have revealed instances of cattle being overcrowded, deprived of food and water, and transported in inhumane conditions. He warned that the government will adopt the toughest possible measures against such offenders.
The enforcement drive will be carried out in coordination with local police, traffic authorities, the animal husbandry department and various animal welfare organisations. Special teams have been deployed to curb the supply chain leading to illegal slaughterhouses, and officials have been instructed to submit detailed compliance reports after the operation.
Meanwhile, preparations for Bakri Eid have been impacted by rising inflation, increased transport costs due to higher fuel prices, and ongoing heatwave conditions, which have affected the trade of goats and sheep at the BMC-run Deonar Bakra Mandi.
With only a few days remaining for Eid-ul-Adha, market activity at Deonar remains slower compared to previous years. Officials said around 1.3 lakh goats and sheep had arrived at the market by Sunday, while over 50,000 had been sold so far. Despite sluggish demand, they expect sales to improve in the coming days.
Deonar abattoir general manager Kaleem Pathan noted that while trade is currently slow, there is hope for a pickup closer to the festival.
However, livestock traders have raised concerns over reduced arrivals this year, alleging harassment of transporters en route to Mumbai. National vice-president of All India Jamiatul Quresh, Imran Babu Qureshi, claimed that incidents of extortion and intimidation have discouraged traders from bringing animals to the city, resulting in losses for breeders and traders alike.
Several traders also alleged that vehicles carrying goats were being stopped by unidentified groups. One trader, Gulrez Qureshi, said a truck carrying home-bred goats was turned back from Mira-Bhayandar to Gujarat, questioning why legitimate traders were being targeted under the guise of cow protection. He also said he would raise the issue with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The state government’s updated enforcement guidelines reportedly empower police to invoke stringent provisions such as MCOCA against organised cattle smuggling networks. However, the move has also sparked questions over its applicability to those transporting goats and sheep for legitimate trade during the festive season.