13 January,2010 06:50 AM IST | | Amit Kumar
Central Meat Raid Team catches a camel being slaughtered illegally for meat. Officials say illegal slaughter is on the rise in city
The next time you order your favourite kebab at a restaurant, double check the meat being served.
Despite various measures to prevent illegal slaughtering and sale of meat, the problem is on the rise in various parts of the capital.
On Tuesday, the Central Meat Raid Team, formed under the initiative of the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, caught a camel being slaughtered for its meat and bones at Brahmapuri in New Usmanpur area.
"Following a tip-off, our team raided a property and found illegal slaughtering of camel taking place. An FIR has been registered in the New Usmanpur police station. The property has been sealed and the owner of the premises, Qadir, has been arrested," said a Central Meat Raid Team official, wishing anonymity.
The veterinary doctor of Delhi government was called to the spot to test the meat sample. "The slaughtering of camel is rare in the capital. Our team has caught illegal slaughtering of cows and buffalos, but this is the first time we found a camel being slaughtered. It is unfortunate," said an MCD veterinary department official.
Illegal meat sale on rise
Though meat traders have agreed to work at the new Ghazipur slaughter house, reports of illegal slaughtering are common.
"The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Delhi police have been directed to launch special drives to check the sudden increase in illegal sale of buffalo and camel meat," said an official from the Lieutenant Governor's office.
According to sources, most of the illegal slaughtering is being done at Seelampur, Jafrabad, Okhla and Khureji.
Sources in MCD said illegal slaughtering is on the rise because the Ghazipur slaughterhouse is not sufficient to fulfill the total demand of meat in the city. But, municipal officials say illegal slaughtering is done mainly to make quick money. "Banned and sick animals are being slaughtered and sold at cheaper rates," said an MCD official.
| Be cautious |
|
"One should always buy meat from licensed shops as they sell disease-free stock. The meat supplied to these shops are from the Ghazipur abattoir house, where slaughtering is done under the supervision of a doctor after issuance of a tax coupon. Customers should check the MCD stamp and tax coupon before buying meat," said Dr VK Singh, zonal head of the Central Meat Raid Team. |
| 1,383 |
|
Is the number of licensed meat shops in Delhi |
