Truck carrying 1,500 kg of beef seized in city; 3 held

A truckload of over 1,500 kg of beef was seized by the city police and later burnt at a burial ground in Sumanahalli on July 15. Three people were arrested in this connection.

Animal Welfare Board officials, with the help of police, seized the truck carrying beef covered in tarpaulin at Sadashivanagar while it was on its way to Shivajinagar from Peenya.

The vehicle was transporting beef from illegal slaughterhouses in Hosapete, Ballari. Police arrested Aziz Baig, Farukh Pasha and Sheikh Sadiq and booked them under various sections of the Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act and under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

Based on a tip-off, Goutham Sharma, an animal welfare officer, intercepted the truck and lodged a complaint with the police. “We are aware of 20 to 30 such vehicles coming to the city every day with beef from illegal slaughterhouses. The meat should have a government seal. They should also carry documents such as ante-mortem and post-mortem certificates,” Sharma said.

The beef is transported in unhygienic conditions and not fit for consumption, another activist said.

Since the seized beef was perishable, the police, with due permission, took it to a burial ground in Sumanahalli and burnt it in the presence of the complainant.

Traders who transport live cattle get caught most of the time and their cattle would be sent to the animal shelter home (Prani Daya Sangha) in Koramangala.

Traders now resort to transporting meat concealed in tarpaulins in trucks, officials said.

According to Animal Welfare Board officials, the illegal trade continues to thrive with beef from unlicensed slaughterhouses in Ramanagaram, Chanrayapatna to Hosapete in Ballari reaching Shivajinagar meat markets.