Inquiry into mysterious deaths of cows in MP
UNLIKELY GRAVEYARD Decomposed remains of bovines found in MP’s Bundelkhand jungle, which officials say pose a health risk
BHOPAL/ SAGAR: In Bundelkhand’s Damoh district, the administration has initiated an inquiry by a three-member committee into mysterious deaths of scores of cows after the carcasses were found in a jungle and some of the carcasses even on trees a few days back. Locals of Tendukheda area spotted the carcasses when they went into the jungle tracking a foul smell. Carcasses of cows were found lying scattered at different stages of decomposition.
BHOPAL/SAGAR: A nauseating stench of rotten flesh drew villagers to a spot in a jungle in Tendukheda of Madhya Pradesh’s Bundelkhand region a few days ago.
The source of the foul smell was maggot-infested carcasses of cows strewn all over the place, but the mystery deepened when the people found several dead cattle in various stages of decomposition hanging from tree branches.
The unlikely graveyard of the cows — a revered animal for Hindus — was reported to the administration and a three-member investigation committee was formed to unravel the secret behind so many cattle being unceremoniously dumped in the forest. Besides, this is a health hazard too.
The discovery also spurred cow protection groups to write to the administration. “We were shocked to see some of carcasses on trees. There is a cow shelter nearby and it is possible that the animals were from there,” Damoh-based Bajrang Dal leader Teji Singh Thakur said.
Sanjay Jain, who manages the cow shelter, dismissed the allegations as untrue. “Since January 1 this year, 32 cows died in our shelter primarily due to old age and diseases. We have 1,311 cows,” he said.
According to Jain, the shelter gives its dead cattle to a former municipal employee for disposal.
“It is possible that cows from our cow shelter were thrown at that place. But from now on we will bury the carcasses. Carcasses are thrown in the forest by the local civic agency and people in the nearby areas too,” he said.
That least solves the puzzle behind carcasses on trees. Jain offered an answer, saying people dealing with animal hides and bones might have wanted the dead animals to decompose and dry out.
Shashan Shanday, the chief municipal officer of Tedukheda Nagar Palika, said his agency doesn’t throw carcasses in the forest. “We have a separate trench earmarked for disposing off carcasses.”
According to Damoh district collector Shrinivas Sharma, appropriate action would be taken based on the findings of the inquiry committee headed by BR Vishwakarma, the animal husbandry department deputy director.