Cow vigilante groups running organised crime, says Cong MP

A Congress member in the Lok Sabha today targeted cow vigilante groups in different states, accusing them of running an organised crime racket and resorting to activities much like terrorism.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Ravneet Singh said that dairy farming has become a big supplementary business for the Punjab farmer at a time when agriculture is facing a crisis.
He said that Jersey cows from Punjab are much in demand in several states as also in neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Nepal.
The dairy farmers face problems from the cow vigilante groups while transporting cows, as they extort money. It is an organised crime, much like terrorism, he alleged seeking stern action against such groups.

Members raised several other issues of public importance in the zero hour.
P K Ramachandran (AIADMK) hailed the commissioning of the Unit-1 of the Kudankulam Nuclear power project saying it was a historic feat and would further strengthen Indo-Russian cooperation.

Harischandra Chavan (BJP) made a strong plea for a Rs 2000 per quintal support price for onions to help the growers hard hit by heavy rains.
Sushil Singh, also of the BJP, sought inclusion of Maghai language in the eighth schedule of the Constitution saying many people from Jharkhand, Bihar and Nepal speak the language which also has a script.

AIADMK leader P Venugopal sought action against the Indian Maritime University in Chennai claiming that its affairs are mired in controversies.
Dushyant Chautala (INLD) complained about Narsingh Yadav getting preferential treatment among athletes sent to the Rio olympics claiming that he hailed from the Prime Minister's parliamentary constituency.