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Meat traders shut shops
Non-vegetarian eaters in the city had a tough time to relish meat for Sunday lunch as the Mutton Merchants Association called for a strike. Demanding that the district authorities and public representative not to shift the slaughterhouse of goats at Hanumanthawaka Junction to Marikavalasa, the association members staged a dharna here on Sunday. All the mutton shops in and around city were closed.
Visakhapatnam: Non-vegetarian eaters in the city had a tough time to relish meat for Sunday lunch as the Mutton Merchants Association called for a strike. Demanding that the district authorities and public representative not to shift the slaughterhouse of goats at Hanumanthawaka Junction to Marikavalasa, the association members staged a dharna here on Sunday. All the mutton shops in and around city were closed.
The slaughterhouse at Hanumanthawaka Junction was shut down by GVMC three months ago as the civic body has set up a new modern abattoir at Marikavalasa for both goat and beef in one place. Stating that the Hindu community sentiments would be hurt, the association found fault with the authorities move as 11 acres was allotted to beef abattoir and only half acre was given to goat slaughter house that too at the same place.
“The non-veg eaters from Hindu community in the city would not buy meat from mutton outlets if goats get slaughtered at Marikavalasa abattoir,” said Mutton Merchants Association president Kilani Venkata Appa Rao. According to him, more than 700 mutton shops are located in all the zones, including Bheemili, Tagarapuvalasa, Gajuwaka and Ankapalle.
“All the mutton outlet owners will take out a rally from Saraswathi Park to GVMC on Monday. At GVMC, we will sit for a relay hunger strike,” Appa Rao said. The GVMC authorities have been slapping Rs 2,000 fine if the vendors slaughter the goats at the shops, he said.
It is learnt that the GVMC had assured to construct area wise slaughterhouses at Gajuwaka and Pendurthy. The mutton vendors of four zones in the city were asked to shift to Marikavalasa. However, the association is demanding the civic body set up an abattoir at Mudasrlova for four zones.
“We are asked the authorities to open Hanumanthawaka slaughterhouse at least till all areas get the new abattoirs,” the members demanded. “There are thousands of families dependent upon this activity.
The decision by the authorities will destroy the livelihood of the meat sellers,” the president lamented. Association secretary Appalaraju, treasurer Ch Ravi, vice-president Shawn Bhasha, joint secretary N Shankar Rao and mutton vendors were present.
