AHMEDABAD, July 8: More than 20 stray cows impounded by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) died in its cattle pound in Danilimda on Wednesday. However, Captain Dilip Mahajan, who is in charge of the cattle nuisance control department, said the situation was under control and that there was nothing untoward about it as the cows had died over two or three days. He said that on average five cows died of old age and weakness daily, and that the true figure was 15 cows and three donkeys dead. He said that due to incessant rain, the contractor hired to dispose of the carcasses had not done so.Sources said that after a heavy downpour on Sunday, about 1,400 cows and donkeys were brought out of the pound as there was water inside. This had not done the animals any good, and following pressure from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and independent corporators, they were moved back inside the pound. Conditions inside the pound are not hygienic, and this might have led to the death of the cattle, they said.
They also pointed out that some cattle traders from the area had also occupied. After several requests by the Akhil Baratiya Hinsha Nirvaran Sangh to construct a concrete platform for the cattle, work was in progress when heavy rains lashed the city. Ratibhai Banker and other members of the Sangh said that the deaths were not due to consumption of stale grass. He said about one truck of green grass was sent by the sangh for the cattle.
Besides, he said that he has also urged the corporation to construct a metal platform for the cattle which could be easily washed daily. He said he has checked the animals several times with a veterinary doctors and all the five deaths reported daily were due to weakness and ill health. Mahajan said that these animals were stray and unproductive animals. He said that these animals were brought here after four days when the owner fails to claim his cattle. He said the corporation collects fines of Rs 300 per day of impoundment. Moreover, he said, the animals brought to thepound were close to death. Banker further said the corporation sends these animals to the various Panjarapoles in the state who nurture these animals. He said about 900 cows were sent to the Mandal Panjarapole.
Meanwhile, sources said that some traders living inside the pound were doing illegal business at the site (The standing committee had in 1987 cleared a proposal banning sale of cattle at the market.)
But despite the order, the estate department of the corporation is yet to remove these traders who have also encroached upon this market. He said that the estate department despite the ban was collecting Rs 20 for all animals entering the bazar for sale. The bazar he said was flourishing as the traders had political support.Dhiurbhai Salani, Tejabhai Daxibhai, Hirabhai Laxmanbhai, traders staying within the pound said that even AMC was illegally selling cows and other stray impounded animals for slaughtering.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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