Stray cattle released in front of DC office

Our Correspondent

Ferozepur, November 27

Protesting against the menace of stray cattle in the area, hundreds of farmers from Ferozshah village brought truckloads of stray cattle and dropped them in front of the DC office at the District Administrative Complex here today.

The protesting farmers under the banner of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Kadiya) reached the DC office at 11 am along with four truckloads of stray cattle and released them, triggering panic among commuters and those coming to the DC office. Gurbans Singh, general secretary, BKU, said stray cattle ventured into fields and damaged vegetables and other crops due to which farmers suffered huge financial losses.

“At least 80 acres of land was being utilised for cattle pond in the district, but the authorities instead of taking care of stray cattle, were minting money by giving that land on lease,” said Darshan Singh, a farmer.

Pankaj Sharma, an advocate, said there had been a steep rise in the number of accidents due to stray animals, which had already taken several lives in the town, but the authorities continued to maintain a lackadaisical attitude. “I will file a petition in this regard soon,” he said.

“Whenever the civic bodies gets into action and impound these stray cows, the move is thwarted by cattle owners with the support of politicians who get them discharged without any penalty or fine,” said Rakesh Aggarwal, president, Gopal Gaushala.

He said at present they had a capacity to house 200 cattle, but if the government provided resources and financial assistance, they could accommodate more. Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, DC, said he had called a meeting of local NGOs and the gaushala authorities tomorrow to chalk out an action plan in this regard.