Bakrid: Animal traders seek compensation from govt for losses

Hundreds of trucks carrying goats for ritual of sacrifice on Bakrid are stranded at Mumbai's entry points as y are t allowed to sell animals in public, resulting in many animals dying of starvation. Animal trers have w demanded a compensation from Maharashtra government for losses suffered by m.

On July 15, Maharashtra minister Aslam Shaikh said state government will set up an online mechanism for sale and purchase of goats for upcoming Bakrid festival and permission will be given for celebration in coronavirus containment zones.

Garing of people for 'qurbani' (sacrifice) of goats will t be allowed and markets will be allowed only on open grounds, Mumbai city guardian minister said, ding that big markets like Deonar will t be permitted this time. All India Sheep and Goat Breeders and Dealers Association president Aslam Qureshi told PTI on Thursday that every year y sell lakhs of goats through abattoir at Deonar. This year, y me several demands to state government for smooth functioning of festival, but in vain, he said.

"Several goats are dying in stranded vehicles due to starvation. All this is happening due to lack of a proper policy from government, hence it should compensate trers and farmers who are facing losses," he said.

All India Jamiatul Quresh national vice president Imran Babu Qureshi said, We demand compensation from Maha Aghi government for trers as y have incurred huge losses due to vague and confused guidelines issued for Eid-al-ha." He also said Muslim ministers and MLAs from ruling parties "failed" to spell out clear guidelines for festival, hence y should resign.

Former Congress MLA Naseem Khan said government should set up an inquiry and punish police officials who were stopping vehicles carrying goats purchased online and as per government guidelines. Farmers and trers were facing losses and government should compensate m, he said, alleging that police were unnecessarily harassing and stopping vehicles carrying animals.