Slaughter House Association asks UP Govt. to have mercy on their livelihood

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India] Mar. 28 (ANI): Following the strike called by the meat sellers in Uttar Pradesh, the slaughter house association on Tuesday said that they do not want to make it difficult for the people and called on the state government to think about the livelihood of the shop owners. "Every meat shop in Uttar Pradesh is unable to continue with their work as slaughter houses are being shut down in the state. The government will have to think about our livelihood as around 65 percent of Uttar Pradesh consumes meat," president of slaughter house association Shameem Qureshi said. He added that the association has asked the government to allow the functioning of meat shops till the time systematic facilities are not set up. "We have also asked the Municipal corporations and Zila Panchayat to assign a place far from the population so that people are not disturbed with the animal slaughter," Qureshi said. He further said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has assured that the meat sellers will not be harassed on this matter and discussion will take place with the association soon. "We are told that the police cannot stop legalised slaughter houses from functioning," he said. On Monday, in an official release, the state asked closure of illegal slaughter houses in view of the overall public order, safety and health of the general public Slaughter house owners and meat sellers in Uttar Pradesh have closed their shops following an indefinite strike call by different associations. The strike was against the government's crackdown on illegal slaughter houses and retail meat shops. According to reports, slaughter house owners and meat retailers are also protesting against raids by municipal authorities and police, alleging exploitation by the authorities. They have complained that they are being raided by police despite valid licenses. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister earlier on Saturday said abattoirs operating legally will not be touched but action will be taken against those being run illegally. Fish vendors were also claimed to have resolved to join the stir which has seen non-vegetarian delicacies go off the menu in several parts of the state. (ANI)