Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Apr 3: "A number of cows were stolen or forcibly taken away from places within the limits of Ullal and Konaje police stations during the recent weeks. Those involved with thefts remain unidentified and go scot free. Therefore, we suspect that illegal cattle thefts, illegal cow trafficking, operation of illegal slaughterhouses, and slaughter of cows are getting support of the local MLA-cum-minister," said divisional secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Sharan Pumpwell.
He was speaking after taking part in a press conference held at Kuthar Shree Child Protection Centre on Monday April 2, on the occasion of the protest by way of fast unto death undertaken under the leadership of T G Rajaram Bhat demanding arrest of culprits involved with robbery and theft of cows from Amritadhara cow shelter in Punyakotinagara, Kairangala, entering the third day.
Sharan noted that cow slaughter, illegal slaughterhouses, and theft of cows have been going on unabated in Ullal and Konaje areas since the last four years. He noted that cows were also taken away in car by threatening the people manning the shelter when they tried to stop the thieves from taking away cows from Amriadhara cow shelter. "Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal strongly condemn the act of the cow thieves. Although these things have repeatedly been brought to the notice of police department and district administration, proper steps are not being taken,"
"The district administration seems to be meting out step-motherly treatment to a section of the society under political pressure. Over 25 first information reports have been filed in Konaje police station limits relating to cow thefts. Still, the state minister representing this area has not reacted to this, nor issued any press statement, although it has been three days since cows were stolen, and affected persons have been undertaking protest by way of fast unto death since the lst 24 hours. These developments make us to believe that the minister has been extending encouragement to these activities," he added.
"Hindus are apprehensive because of these incidents. Although the cow shelter has CCTV cameras, compound wall and other security measures are in place, cow thieves have been indulging in thefts. Hindus and farmers are dithering from rearing cows because of these things. Vishwa Hndu Parishad and Bajrang Dal have been instilling courage and confidence among the affected people. A meeting of people affected by cow thefts is being held at 11 am on April 3 at Amritadhara cow shelter in Punyakotinagara. District administration has to take up the task of paying suitable compensation to those who have lost their cattle. Cattle thieves should be arrested immediately and acted against. Failing compliance, the protest undertaken here will spread all over the district," he warned.
Convener of Mangala Seva Trust, Dr Anantakrishna Bhat, Vishwa Hindu Parishad working president, Gopal Kuthar, secretary, Ravi Asaigoly, and Bajrang Dal leader, Pavitra Kumar Kerebail, were present at the press conference.
On the third day of the protest, over a hundred people participated in the convention of people affected by cattle thefts convened at Kairangala on Tuesday April 3. Hindu leaders, Sharan Pumpwell, Satyajit Suratkal and T G Rajaram Bhat led the protesters.
Victims who have lost cattle expressed their ire during the indefinite fast.
“I have lost 35 cows to cattle thieves during the last ten years. I am deeply pained with the loss. The police hurl expletives at us and send us back asking why we leave the cattle for grazing if we go to the police station to register our complain. The police are not trying to nab cattle thieves,” lamented nearly 65 year-old Kalyani, resident of Konaje Nadupadavu.
“I have reared six cows at home without fearing any theft. However, I am worried when a butcher will take them away. Cattle thieves have come at night and taken cows raised by us like our children. The thieves should be nabbed and suitably punished as soon as possible,” said one of weeping protesters.
Konaje resident Aboobacker said, “The milk from two cows at home was sufficient for home use and sale. We were making a living with them. Thieves who entered the shed on March 29 have cut the rope, taken away the cows and snatched our only source of income. My wife weeps without sleeping at night. I have complained about it to Konaje police station. There are no clues so far,” he cried.
Eight cows stolen in eight years
Eight cows reared by Mudipu Sambarthota based farmer during the last eight years from 2011 to 2018 have been stolen. “I have identified Malar Sattar and Malar Monu during theft this year. I have complained in Konaje police station expressing my suspicion. The cows were slaughtered before the police took action. One suspect among them has saved himself by swearing that he is not involved in the theft. Police are releasing the suspects without investigations due to pressure from elected representatives,” lamented Marcel D'Souza.
Eight cattle of Motugoli resident Chandrahasa Shetty were stolen during the last two years. He is a farmer and a dairy producer. He said that he has complained in Konaje police station but there is no action by the police.
BJP backward group president Satyajit Surathkal addressing the protesters said that protests should not be stopped until the cattle thieves are arrested. “The protests should be continued in rotation until we get justice. I support the protests being conducted by Rajaram Bhat. If he falls sick due to fasting, others should join him in fasting. On the whole the protests should continue until we get justice and our cows,” he said.
Konaje resident Babu Mugera who has lost six cows, Sridhar Bhat Kairangala one, Konaje's Krishna Bhat 1, Ramachandra Bhat, two, Kamalaksha four in one year, Lalitha four, Shankariamma two, Arkana resident Cyril Cutinha four, Kurnadu Kodakkal resident Shanker Bhat one and Chandrashekar Kallapu who has lost one cow expressed their regret. They alleged that the government has not provided compensation and the police department have not arrested the suspects.
Amratadhara byre head T G Rajaram Bhat who wept in the protests expressing his sentiments said the government is trying to stop protests holding discussions with the police. “I will not stop protests until the real cattle thieves are arrested. Cattle theft is growing like cancer. Butchers are taking away cows those give milk. Only the owners of cows can know the pain of losing cows.”
“Cattle thefts are increasing in Konaje from day by day. Young girls are afraid to walk in Mudipu. Crimes such as ganja peddling, robbery and thefts have increased. There should be an end to them. I will protests until death if cattle thieves are not nabbed,” he said while weeping.
The police department, sensing the heat generated by the protest by way of fast unto death, handed over the case of cattle thefts to city crime branch (CCB). The CCB team plunged into action and collected information from T G Rajaram Bhat. The team found a motor bike, Honda Activa two-wheeler and an auto rickshaw used for cattle transportation from Kajepadavu, Manjeshwar. They also found remains of slaughtered large-sized animal in a house and took into custody members of the family living in the said house for questioning.