The Gau Gyan Foundation has deplored the apathy by the administration against no-holds-barred cow trafficking and slaughter in the State.

It stated that hundreds of cattle, including healthy cows, young bulls and calves, were hoarded for illegal slaughter in Kesharpur around Mahamaya UP School under Mangalabag police limits in Cuttack on the eve of Bakrid. The cattle were tied outside houses, with no food or water, to be cut in the neighbourhood and on roads, while the Cuttack Municipal Corporation and Commissionerate Police were mum.

The Foundation said for any animal to be slaughtered, ‘a fit for slaughter’ certificate has to be obtained from a competent authority. Needless to say, no laws including the Odisha Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act 1960, were adhered to in the Kesharpur area.

Though the Odisha Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act 1960 makes it illegal to slaughter a cow and its progeny, the police and traffickers are undeterred, it said.

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and the Slaughterhouse Rules 2000 make it illegal to slaughter animals anywhere outside premises authorised as legal slaughterhouses, but hundreds and thousands of animals are butchered unchecked. If law-keepers turn deaf ears, who will protect those highly revered animals in our country, asked the foundation.

“Thousands of crores of black money is generated out of cow trafficking and slaughter. Where goes the money? No Income Tax (IT) is paid. Anybody can guess what activities are promoted by the funds. Then why our Government, administration and police are aiding it by looking the other way?” questioned the foundation.

A complaint was lodged by the foundation at the Mangalabag police station on July 16 and the complaint was also mailed to the Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police. The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Cuttack was approached in this regard. However, no action was taken by them, alleged the foundation.