Cow deaths in shelter to be probed

BAREILLY: The district administration of Shahjahnpur has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the alleged ill-treatment and death of cows at an animal centre in Powayan block here.

The investigation was ordered by the district magistrate on Wednesday after a video of a tractor dragging a cow’s carcass inside the shelter went viral on social media.

“I have asked the sub-divisional magistrate of Powayan to investigate into the matter and look into the affairs of the shelter house,” said NK Singh, district magistrate, Shahjahanpur.

The said video, apparently shot by a worker of the cow shelter, was circulated online and numerous whatsapp groups. Taking notice of this, several right wing Hindu organisations staged protest against the district administration in Shahjahanpur for failing to addressing issues in the animal shelter. “The animal shelter has become a killing ground for cows. Five cows have died there in the last two days in the absence of adequate water and the district administration has done nothing,” lamented Rajesh Awasthi, district president, Vishwa Hindu Parishad.

VHP supporters staged a protest outside the Collectorate and handed over a memorandum asking the district administration to take stern action against the management of the animal shelter. Members of Hindu Sena, Bajrang Dal and Shiv Sena also met the district magistrate with their complaint against the animal shelter.

The said animal shelter is controlled by an NGO but is overseen by a government veterinary doctor. “The video being circulated on social media is an old one. Nothing like that happened at the animal shelter in recent days,” said Dr Vivek Shukla, in-charge of the animal shelter and added that they will support the inquiry ordered by the DM. Though the shelter is meant for other animals also, majority of those admitted are old or sick cows. Currently, the shelter has 139 cows. According to Shukla, only four cows died at the shelter this year and all of them due to natural causes.