By Express News Service

BENGALURU: Meat traders fear more attacks by cow vigilantes, with the Union Government notifying new rules for sale of cattle.

“We are more scared of cow vigilantes than the new rules”, was the general feeling at meat markets in the city on Saturday. They fear that the new rules would embolden fringe groups who could take advantage of the situation.

The Centre has banned trade of cattle for slaughter, at animal markets across the country. Cattle include bulls, cows, buffaloes, steers, heifers and camels.

Khasim Fazduar Rehman, a meat seller at the Beef and Poultry Market at Shivajinagar said, “Nobody knows what the government notification is all about. But we are now in fear of getting attacked by cow vigilantes”.

“Many meat traders have paid money to get cattle for slaughter (for Ramzan), but the situation looks scary for the transportation as some people may extort money in the name of cow protection,” he added. Beef sellers in Shivajinagar, Johnson Market, Frazer Town and many other places say the new rules would potentially harm their businesses.

Karnataka Beef and Poultry Markets Association president Khasim Ejaz Ahmed Kureshi said a delegation would meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday to discuss the issue before deciding the next step. He said more than 10 lakh people are employed in the meat industry in the state.

Zaidur, a meat seller said they have been adhering to the rules on slaughter of animals. “Cattle are first taken to veterinary inspectors and we slaughter them once we get the approval. We do not use the animals which are unfit for slaughter”, he said.

Ramzan season sees a spurt in sale of meat. “On a normal day, the business in Beef and Poultry Market at Shivajinagar would be around `8-10 lakh and this would increase during weekends. During Ramzan our business doubles,” said Rehman.