Cattle thefts: BJP warns of district-wide protest if not checked

Mangalore, Aug 6: Member of Legislative Council K Monappa Bhandary gave a stern warning to the Congress-led state government that the Bharatiya Janata Party would resort to district-wide protests if the former failed to stop the rampant cow-slaughter and close down illegal abattoirs in Dakshina Kannada.

Speaking at a press conference at district BJP office here on Tuesday, he said that after coming to power, the Congress government had failed to implement the anti cow-slaughter bill, which is a clear indication that the government is indirectly backing the cattle thieves.

Cattle thefts, illegal slaughter houses and smuggling of cattle are on the rise in the district, the district administration as well as the police department has failed in checking it. This has also led to disruption of communal harmony in the district. For the past few months, cattle thieves have begun resorting to dacoity and threatening people. These thieves should be booked under charges of dacoity, he said, adding that cattle thefts were the sole cause for disruption of peace in the district.

He said that even after being passed by both the State legislature, the anti cow-slaughter bill was pending before the Governor. This is equivalent to protecting the robbers. The police are also involved in oppressing concerned citizens who raise their voice against this issue. This is immoral, he said.

He demanded the closure of illegal slaughter houses in DK and Udupi districts, and strict action against butchering of cattle.

Opposition to amendment in Panchayat Raj bill

Mr Bhandary expressed satisfaction that the BJP had worked effectively towards forcing the Siddaramaiah government to refer the Karnataka Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2013 to a joint committee of the legislature.

He also expressed the same over the withdrawal of the Karnataka Agriculture Produce Marketing (Second Amendment) Bill, 2013 in the legislative council, maintining that the bill would only benefit traders and middlemen, and not farmers.

Compensation to dengue-affected victims

He said that the BJP was also successful in urging the government to provide a compensation of Rs 1 lakh to all the dengue-affected victims in the state.

MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik, BJP district president Padmanabha Kottary and Mahila Morcha president (city unit) Pushpalatha Gatty were present.