By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR: While apprehending large scale illegal cow slaughter on occasion of BakrId,Union Minister Pratap Chandra Sarangi has urged the Odisha Chief Secretary Asit Kumar Tripathy to take stringent action against cow slaughter in the State.
Orissa Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1960 clearly provides that no person shall, at any place within the State, slaughter or cause to be slaughtered, or offer or cause to be offered for cow slaughter, the Minister wrote in his letter to Chief Secretary Tripathy.
Sarangi said the Act provides for penalty for those who contravenes or attempts to contravene or abets the contravention of the provisions.The Union Minister said the Act is meant to protect our cows and to prevent cow slaughter.
Sarangi said, on the eve of BakrId, illegal cow slaughter is being planned at different places across the state in flagrant violation of the statutory provisions. Sarangi urged him to direct the administrative,police authorities across the state to step up checking and vigilance to guard against any illegal cow slaughter.
The Supreme Court has upheld the law and granted no exemption to the slaughter of healthy cows, even on the eve of BakrId, the Minister added. He urged the Chief Secretary and Odisha government to ask the police to enforce the Act effectively and keep a close watch on suspected elements.
