Ahead of Eid, illegal meat shops under Ahmedabad cops’ scanner

To ensure there is no illegal cow slaughter during the upcoming Eid, Vejalpur police have embarked on a crackdown on all illegal meat shops of Juhapura. After the gruesome attack by local butchers on cops on Saturday, police officials are keeping a close watch on the area.

To trace the remaining accused involved in the assault and setting ablaze of a Tata Sumo police car, the cops have been carrying out search and combing operations in Juhapura since Sunday.

During the search operation, police found that most of the meat shops are illegal and operating without any license. Police also suspect that these shops are involved in illegal cow slaughter.

“We have already closed down some shops which are running their business without any license, and warned other shops about the same,” said Vejalpur police inspector JH Jhalu, who is particularly perturbed by the meat shops operating by the roadside.     

According to Jhalu, it is impossible to tell cow meat from that of other animals after it has been cut into pieces, thus it is essential for all the meat shops in the area to be licensed.

“We have also warned them to stop any kind of cow slaughter in lieu of Eid on November 7. I have asked my men to maintain a tight vigil on the movements of suspected butchers on that day,” said Jhalu.

In addition, Vejalpur police acquired a two-day remand of the four accused held on Monday, who were part of the mob that attacked the police earlier on Saturday.