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Invoke laws on lines of Maharashtra to deal with stray cattle menace: AMC to state

After Siddhart Jha had filed the plea through counsel Amit Panchal alleging cattle are roaming free on the roads, making it difficult for commuters, court had sought an action taken report from the AMC over making streets cattle-free.

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Replying to a notice issued by the second division bench of the high court over a contempt of court petition alleging that despite HC directive, fodder is being sold on city roads illegally, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Monday suggested that the state government should enact a law on the lines of Maharashtra to control the stray cattle menace in Ahmedabad.

After Siddhart Jha had filed the plea through counsel Amit Panchal alleging cattle are roaming free on the roads, making it difficult for commuters, court had sought an action taken report from the AMC over making streets cattle-free.

The affidavit states that municipal commissioner has suggested to Principal Secretary (Urban) to enact Gujarat Keeping and Restricting Movement of Cattle in Urban Areas Control Act. It states that a criminal case be registered against the cattle owner from now on. It also states that police commissioner has decided to even invoke Prevention of Anti-social Activities (PASA) Act against habitual offenders against whom already three FIRs have been lodged.

The affidavit states that earlier complaints against cattle owners were registered only under Bombay Police Act for nuisance. But, now these would be registered under the IPC section-289 with section-11 (i) (h) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960.

Corporation's deputy commissioner (Cattle Nuisance Control Department) stated in the affidavit, "City is spread over 470 sq km and there are 23,482 cattle owners and 45,000 stray animals. Before the HC issued an order on August 10 to take action against stray cattle, daily 20 to 30 cattle were captured and the number has now swelled to 60 to 70."

The same affidavit also states that the CNCD department is facing severe manpower shortage. Though the approved strength is 47 since 2006, still 21 posts are vacant. It states that AMC does not have enough infrastructure to handle more cattle. "We had to seek tractors from other corporations and nagarpalikas. Rajkot Municipal Corporation and Surendranagar nagarpalika have sent one each," it read.

Corporation has also stated that there are 326 illegal fodder sellers on the roadside in city and the list is provided to the police commissioner. An action has already been initiated against them. Court has given time to the petitioner to file rejoinder and has kept the matter for further hearing after two weeks.

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