Guj: Hundreds of cows let out to protest lack of govt funding

Hundreds of cows were let out of a 'Panjrapole' (shelter home for abandoned cattle) at Deesa in Banaskantha district by its managers today, to protest the government's failure to provide financial support.

Managers of Panjrapoles in the district had earlier threatened to take out animals to government offices, alleging that the government wasn't providing them funds.

Banaskantha district magistrate Sandip Sagale imposed section 144 (3) of the CrPC, prohibiting release of cattle.

The situation was under control, the authorities said, as the released cows were being herded back to the shelter.

"In the last two years, due to floods in the region, fodder has become scarce. A month ago we had appealed to the state government seeking monetary support. The government did not act, forcing us to take this step," said Jagdish Mali, manager of Deesa-based Rajpur Panjrapole, from where hundreds of cows were let out today.

This Panjrapole houses around 8,000 animals.

Mali, a member of Goshala Sanchalak Mandal, a body of Panjrapoles in the district, claimed the fodder provided by the government at a subsidised rate of Rs 2 per kg was of a very poor quality.

There are 97 shelters in the district which house around 55,000 animals, he said, adding that the donations which these shelters receive have shrunk since demonetisation.

Superintendent of Police Niraj Badgujar said the situation was under control. "We have not yet faced any law and order situation or traffic congestion," he said.

Policemen have been deployed around the Panjrapoles and patrolling has been increased, he said.

Sagale said the government was ready to offer fodder at Rs 2 per kg against the market rate of Rs 10.

"The Panjrapole in Deesa released around 200 cows in the morning and around the same number again in the afternoon to press their demand. We have imposed section 144 of CrPC, and the cattle are being taken back to the enclosure.

"We are ready to supply them fodder at Rs 2 per kg. We are also ready to supply them water by tankers. But we can't offer them cash, because this is not a scarcity-hit area," he said.

The prohibitory orders about movement of cattle will remain in force till May 10, he added.