Maharashtra government cracks down on illegal cattle transportation and slaughterhouses; transport commissioner warns of strict action

Mumbai: Taking a tough stance against illegal transportation of cattle, unauthorised slaughterhouses, and cases of cruelty to animals across the state, transport minister Pratap Sarnaik on Sunday issued a warning that “smuggling and slaughter of cows will not be tolerated under any circumstances”.

All regional transport officers, deputy regional officers, border checkposts and the transport machinery have been instructed to carry out operations on a war footing from May 25 to 28, ahead of Bakri Eid.



According to a circular issued by the transport commissioner’s office, special blockades and vehicle inspection drives have to be conducted in border areas of the state, major cities including Mumbai, and sensitive routes. Every vehicle transporting animals is to be thoroughly inspected, and compliance with required permits, certificates and animal welfare regulations is to be verified.

Sarnaik clarified that “no leniency will be shown to those who violate the Motor Vehicles Act, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, and central government regulations. Vehicles found transporting animals illegally will be directly seized”.

He further said, “In previous checks, officials have found that cattle are crammed into vehicles, kept starving, and transported in an inhuman manner. The strictest possible action will be taken against such cow smugglers.”

In the drive, the transport department will coordinate with local police, traffic police, animal husbandry department, and various cow protection and animal welfare organisations. Special squads have been deployed to stop the supply of animals to illegal slaughterhouses. Officers have been instructed to submit a detailed report of the action taken under the special drive to the government.

Meanwhile, inflation, rise in transportation cost due to hike in fuel prices, and ongoing heatwaves are affecting the sale of goats and sheep for Bakri Eid at the BMC-run Deonar Bakra Mandi.

Just a couple of days are left for Eidul Adha or Bakri Eid, but the sale at the Deonar market is lower than what it was in the previous years around this time. “Around 1.3 lakh goats and sheep reached Deonar till Sunday, while over 50,000 were sold. The sale is slow but we expect it to pick up in the next three days,” said Kaleem Pathan, general manager, Deonar abattoir.

Imran Babu Qureshi, national vice-president of All India Jamiatul Quresh, blamed the fewer number of goats in Deonar compared to last year to harassment of traders transporting the cattle by miscreants. “Despite the government’s assurances, there are reports of extortion and harassment to traders transporting animals to Deonar. This has discouraged many traders from bringing goats to the city, causing huge losses to farmers who breed them and the traders,” said Qureshi.

Traders have alleged that vehicles carrying goats are being stopped by miscreants. “A vehicle carrying home-bred goats was returned to Gujarat from Mira-Bhayandar. Why are goat traders being harassed in the name of cow protection? I am sending a letter to deputy CM Eknath Shinde,” said trader Gulrez Qureshi.

The state government’s fresh guidelines mandate the police to invoke the stringent MCOCA against gangs who smuggle cattle. Many questioned whether this can be applied to the traders transporting goats and sheep.