Police raided an illegal slaughterhouse at Katate Plot in the town on Saturday, even as those running the slaughterhouse escaped.
Police arrived at the spot following complaints that cows were being slaughtered illegally there. It is that said eight to 10 members of the Bepari community had been running the slaughterhouse for the last 10 to 15 years. The beef merchants are said to have fled through the back door of the slaughterhouse when the raid party came.
A total of 22 head of cattle, including a few calves and buffaloes, were found on the premises. Four cows and a buffalo were found slaughtered. Circle Inspector Sunilkumar Nandeshwar visited the spot and took possession of the cattle. He said they would initiate action to send the cattle to the government goshala or based on the instructions of the court.
CMC Commissioner Gopal Kase told DH he would examine if there were relevant documents granting permission to open the slaughterhouse. Former MLA Srikant Kulkarni said cow’s meat was being surreptitiously sold along with buffalo meat.
He said a protest rally would be held in the town in protest against the slaughterhouse.
Members of pro-Hindu organisations are up in arms over the slaughter of cattle and a complaint has been filed at the town police station.