Mangaluru: Cattle theft is not just a loss to the owner, it has also led to communal tension in the coastal districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada.
What is a matter of concern is that in recent days, cattle theft has increased. As the majority of those involved in the theft belong to one particular community, cattle theft usually results in communal tension. Some Muslim community leaders have now voluntered to try and find a solution to this problem with the help of religious heads.
“Cattle theft is a major problem and involves youth out to make money. We want to find a solution with the help of Qazis of the region," former Mayor and Muslim Sanghatanegala Okkuta president K Ashraf told Deccan Chronicle. Ashraf said the organisation’s leaders would meet the Quazis of Mangaluru, Ullal and Udupi within a week.
“We have seen cattle thieves forcefully entering cattle sheds with lethal weapons to rob cattle. Some people without checking, purchase the beef of stolen cattle. This is wrong. Our religion clearly says which meat we should consume," he said.
“By next week we will meet all the three Quazis and request them to give a public statement against cattle theft. We will ask them to tell people of the community not to purchase or consume the meat of stolen cattle. Once people of the community take this step, cattle theft will naturally stop," he opined.
He said that cattle slaughter should be as per the law.
“There is only one slaughter house in Mangaluru. Let the government set up proper slaughter houses in other places to stop illegal slaughter,” he added.
Police agreed that the number of cattle theft has increased in recent days and added that they are taking strict action against cattle thieves.
“We have found that cattle theft takes place more in the outskirts of the city. We are taking all necessary action to stop this menace," Mangaluru Police Commissioner TR Suresh said.
