PANAJI
Consumers in Goa will have to bear with shortages of beef as the standoff between traders and vigilantes which has disrupted supplies to local markets is showing no signs of ebbing.
Govansh Raksha Abhiyan, a cow protection vigilante group in Goa had recently raised objection to transportation of beef by meat traders from North Karnataka to the State. The group led by Hanumanth Parab is accusing the traders of illegally transporting the meat and also alleging that it is the product of "unhygienic slaughter" of 'bulls' which is banned in Karnataka.
Meat traders in Goa, mostly organised under the Qureshi Meat Traders Association, usually source their stocks from slaughter of animals at the Goa Meat Complex.
However, the 50-odd animals slaughtered per day at the government-owned abattoir in Usgao is not sufficient to meet the daily demand of the State, a member of the meat association told The Goan.
"Some of us then rely on meat lawfully slaughtered in Karnataka. It is legal as we are required by Karnataka government to have proper certification from a Veterinary doctor before slaughtering the animal," the meat association's member said.
Last week, the police had seized 400 kg of red meat at the Mollem check-post following a tip off from Parab's cow vigilante group.
The incident has triggered fear of harassment among Goa's meat traders who are now avoiding bring meat from Belgaum and other North Karnataka centres expecting the authorities to clamp down on them due to pressure from Parab's cow vigilante group.
Beef is a staple in a majority of Goan Christian homes, especially middle and lower income families who consider it a cheaper source of protein. Goa's hospitality and restaurant sector also requires large quantities to cater to demand from foreign and other beef-eating tourists.
