Panaji: Goa may face severe beef shortage ahead of the Christmas and New Year season with the traders resorting to strike from Monday onwards complaining about the increasing vigilantism.
The traders under the banner of Quraishi Meat Traders Association (QMTA) on Monday wrote to the chief minister about increasing attacks from right wing hindu organisations against the shops, legally selling the beef.
“The recent attack happened in Margao city (South Goa). We want action against these groups. We need protection from the government,” said Abdul Bepari, member of the QMTA.
He said that despite complaints, police department has also failed to take action.
Bepari said that the traders have resorted to strike, till they are assured of the protection from the vigilante.
As per one of the government statistics, Goa has requirement of 20-25 tonnes of beef on daily basis which increases during tourist season and festivities like Christmas.
Congress MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira told reporters on Monday that vigilantism is going on across the state. “Whoever it may be, you need to follow the law, whether it is meat traders or any organisation,” he said.
Ferreira claimed that mobs suddenly enter houses of the people and check the fridge or cupboards for the meat. “This is absolutely trespassing and they have no authority to go there,” he said.
The MLA said that the groups visit the shops and try to inspect the meat, without any authority. “These people don’t belong to any recognised bodies and even if they are recognised, they have no right to enter shops and do such activities,” he said.
Chief minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Monday said that the demand of the meat would be catered through state run Goa Meat Complex Limited. “The meat complex provides hygienic beef to the consumers,” he added.
