Cow Vigilantes Set Meat Shops On Fire As UP Govt Begins Crackdown On 'Illegal' Slaughter Houses

The Yogi Adityanath government, which began work on Monday is making good on one of its election promises - to close slaughterhouses in in Uttar Pradesh. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday ordered a crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses operating in the state. He has also asked the UP police to act tough on cow smugglers.

PTI

Following the government order, six slaughterhouses have been closed in Meerut. Besides, there was an extensive drive to check the licence of meat shops. In the state capital, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation swung into action and sealed nine meat shops in Mahanagar and Aliganj.

UP minister Siddharth Nath Singh said, "This is nothing new. The banning of illegal slaughter houses is a part of our manifesto. We will not allow any illegal activities in the state."

PTI

The BJP had announced, in its manifesto titled 'Lok Kalyan Sankalp Patra', that it would take "stern steps to close down all illegal slaughterhouses besides banning mechanised slaughterhouses" if it comes to power.

Meanwhile, three meat shops were set on fire in Hathras on Tuesday night by suspected vigilantes. Police said the shops were burnt by "anti-social elements".

ANI

In a related incident buffalo meat sellers in Gorakhpur, the Lok Sabha constituency of Adityanath alleged that they were being harassed by police in the name of the crackdown.

The traders said the shops were their only means of livelihood and they will go to the Gorakhnath temple to meet the chief minister and ask him to arrange alternative livelihoods for them.

Even though the BJP had promised to shut down all slaughterhouses in the state, many have expressed doubts about the feasibility of such a move.

PTI

This is because a large chunk of the Rs.26,682 crore in 2015-16 India earned from exporting beef came from UP.

Uttar Pradesh accounts for the highest share of buffalo population at 28% and is the leading meat producing state. The state houses around 60% of the total standalone slaughterhouses, standalone meat processing units and fully-integrated meat processing units in India.