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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Maharashtra Goseva Ayog modifies livestock market ban ahead of Eid, limits it to cattle market
The Maharashtra Goseva Ayog, which had earlier directed all Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) to suspend livestock markets from June 3 to 8 in view of Eid al-Adha, has now issued a revised directive. The new order limits the suspension to markets where cows, bullocks and bulls are sold. The earlier circular, issued on May 27, had drawn sharp criticism from opposition MLAs and members of the Muslim community, who questioned the rationale behind halting the sale of all animals — including sheep and goats — a week before the festival. The issue was raised during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday to review preparedness for the upcoming Bakri Eid festival in the state. The revised circular, dated June 3, states: 'In view of the upcoming Bakri Eid, you are requested to ensure that from 03.06.2025 to 08.06.2025, no markets for the sale of indigenous cattle (cows, bullocks and bulls) are held in any villages in your jurisdiction.' The previous circular had mandated the closure of all livestock markets across the state. In contrast, the latest directive is specific to cattle markets, citing the need to prevent violations of the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, which bans the slaughter of bovine animals (cow progeny) in the state. The Indian Express had reported on June 1 that the May 27 circular instructed all APMCs to shut livestock markets during the week of Bakri Eid to prevent illegal slaughter. The circular had emphasised vigilance, referencing state laws prohibiting bovine slaughter. The original order had sparked widespread backlash. 'The state needs to ensure that cow slaughter does not take place. But what is the intent behind shutting down the entire market,' asked Farooq Ahmad, state vice-president of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, who had led a protest in Nanded last week. 'If markets are not held, trade in animals such as goats, buffaloes and sheep will also stop. This will disrupt daily earnings for farmers, porters, brokers, drivers, the Qureshi-Khatik community and labourers.' Maharashtra has 292 livestock markets, most of which are regulated by APMCs. These markets are crucial for farmers, especially at the onset of the monsoon. While cattle are the primary commodity, smaller animals like goats and sheep are also traded, with transactions increasing ahead of Eid al-Adha.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Eid on June 7, Maharashtra livestock panel calls for halt on animal markets
WITH EID al-Adha, known commonly as Bakri Eid, just a week away on June 7, the Maharashtra Goseva Ayog, a commission set up for welfare of indigenous cows, has directed all Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) not to hold any livestock market from June 3 to June 8. The move has drawn flak from various quarters, including Muslim community members, who have questioned the intent behind stopping the sale of all animals, including lambs and sheep, in the whole week preceding Eid. In a May 27 circular sent to all APMCs, the Goseva Ayog said in light of the upcoming Bakri Eid festival, when large-scale animal slaughter/ sacrifice is carried out, no livestock markets should be held in villages across districts from June 3-8 to ensure that no illegal slaughter of bovines takes place. 'Please stay vigilant in this matter,' it said, referencing the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, which enforces a complete ban on the slaughter of bovine animals (cow progeny) in the state. Under existing rules, the slaughter of cows, bulls, and bullocks is completely banned in Maharashtra, regardless of age or condition. Possession of beef —the meat of cows, bulls, and bullocks—is also criminalised. 'The state needs to take steps to ensure that cow slaughter does not take place. But what is the intent behind shutting down the entire market? If the markets are not held, the trade of non-banned animals such as goats, buffaloes, and sheep will also come to a halt. As a result, daily wage income for farmers, porters, brokers, drivers, the Qureshi-Khatik community, and laborers will stop,' said Farooq Ahmad, State Vice President, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, leading a protest against the circular in Nanded. Ahmad also questioned the Goseva Ayog's authority in directing the APMCs to shut down these markets. 'Goseva Ayog has powers to recommend. Directly issuing orders to market committees constitutes an overreach of its authority,' Ahmad said. The Commission, meanwhile, has said its only purpose was to minimise any possibility of cow slaughter. 'During the days preceding Eid, a lot of animal transactions—including for slaughter—are carried out with the intent of sacrificing the animals. We only want to stop this from occurring. As far as the stoppage of sale of other animals is concerned, that will happen only for one week,' said Shekhar Mundada, Chairman, Maharashtra Goseva Ayog. He also said the circular should be deemed only as an 'advisory'. Maharashtra has 305 principal and 603 secondary APMCs, and these are regulated by the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board under the APMC Act. There are 292 livestock markets functioning in Maharashtra, and almost all are regulated by the APMCs. Cattle are mainstay of these markets, where farmers transact at the onset of the monsoon, utilise them for agricultural purposes, and then sell them after harvesting due to issues related to livestock fodder or maintenance. However, smaller animals like goats, sheep, and lambs are also traded. The trade spikes in the days leading up to Eid al-Adha, or Bakri Eid, when Muslims flock these markets to purchase animals for animal sacrifice known as Qurbani.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Civilian death toll due to Pak intensive shelling rises to 17
Srinagar: The civilian death toll due to shelling from across LoC has risen to 17 in Jammu & Kashmir. #Operation Sindoor Live Updates| From Sindoor to showdown? Track Indo-Pak conflict as it unfolds India hits Lahore's Air Defence Radars in proportionate response Pakistan tried to hit military targets in these 15 Indian cities, New Delhi thwarts strikes The J&K administration has announced that schools in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch of Jammu division, and Baramulla, Kupwara, Gurez, and those near Srinagar and Awantipora airports in Kashmir division will remain closed on May 9. The Law School Admission Test and J&K State Eligibility Test scheduled on May 11 have also been postponed. The Srinagar and Jammu airports continued to remain shut and the main highway connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country was shut due to landslides caused by heavy rainfall in Ramban district. Hospitals have started preparations to combat the crisis, if and when it may arise. Officials said the death toll of civilians has increased to 16 mainly in Poonch district of Jammu where heavy shelling was reported in the intervening night of May 6 and May 7. One Army man was also killed. "During the night of 7-8 May, 2025, Pakistan army posts resorted to unprovoked fire using small arms and artillery guns across the LoC in areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri and Akhnoor areas of J&K. The Indian Army responded proportionately," said a defence spokesperson here. Live Events In Poonch, locals were either busy with the last rites of those killed or looking after the injured at medical facilities. Many were seen rummaging through the rubble of their homes destroyed in the shelling. Some of the forward areas were emptied following the killing as scores of border residents have been removed to safer locations. "It was unimaginable and horrific," said a local resident Imtiyaz Ahmad, a resident of Poonch. In northern Kashmir's Uri, locals revisited their homes destroyed in the shelling. "We have been told to go to safer places as some houses were completely destroyed in the Salamabad area," said Farooq Ahmad Sheikh of Uri. Officials said they would focus on ensuring a swift response to any emerging challenges. The review meeting was held against the backdrop of Pakistan's indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas.
India Today
07-05-2025
- India Today
NIA seeks public's help in Pahalgam attack probe, appeals for photos and videos
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday urged tourists, locals, and visitors to come forward with any photos, videos, or information that could aid its investigation into the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians and left several others injured. In an appeal issued via its official website and social media platforms, the agency provided two contact numbers—9654958816 and 011-24368800—for people to reach out. The NIA said a senior official would follow up to collect and verify any relevant material. The anti-terror agency, which is leading the probe into what it called a 'horrendous crime against humanity,' said it had already obtained a number of visuals from the scene but wanted to ensure 'no useful information or evidence is missed.' 'Tourists and others may have, knowingly or unknowingly, captured clues that could help us identify the attackers and their methods,' the NIA said in a statement. Several images and videos of the attack continue to circulate on social media. The agency is conducting a comprehensive review of digital evidence in parallel with forensic work at the attack site and witness interviews in Pahalgam. On April 22, two Pakistan-based terrorists and a local opened fire on tourists in the scenic Baisaran Valley, killing 26 people. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack. Sources at the NIA said the network of top LeT commander Farooq Ahmad likely played a key role in helping the terrorists. The appeal comes amid a massive manhunt for the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack. According to sources close to the probe, the terrorists involved in the attack remain active and hidden in south Kashmir. The attackers are reportedly highly self-reliant, carrying food supplies and other essential provisions with them, allowing them to operate for extended periods in the forested terrain without requiring external logistical support.
India Today
05-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Pahalgam attack not possible without locals, 5-6 involved: Ex-sleeper cell member
A former sleeper cell member said the Pahalgam attack couldn't have been possible without the help of local operatives and around 5-6 of them were in touch with the Lashkar terrorists who carried out the massacre. In an exclusive interview with India Today, he said the sleeper cell members were likely consulted a month ago and everything was planned in advance before the attack on tourists in the Baisaran I were to carry out an attack in Srinagar, I can't just go in blindly. The Pahalgam attack couldn't have happened without the help of sleeper cell operatives. How would I know how many soldiers are stationed there? Before an attack, I will need to scout the area. It's the sleeper cell that provides the information," he said. The Kashmir resident, who served over two years in jail but has been reformed, said the job of sleeper cells is to provide intelligence on Army movements and supply food and other essentials to terrorists. On April 22, two Pakistan-based terrorists and a local opened fire on tourists in the scenic Baisaran Valley, killing 26 people. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the at the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said the network of top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Farooq Ahmad likely played a key role in helping the terrorists."According to me, there were around 5–6 sleeper cell members working with the terrorists there, and they must have provided information about the situation at the location. They likely consulted about this a month ago, planned everything in advance," he OF TERROR SLEEPER CELLSHe said he worked with terrorists for about 2–4 years. "I helped a lot - carrying supplies, going out at night. Through me, many attacks were carried out," he said. However, he was caught by the security forces while attempting to carry out a grenade attack and spent two-and-a-half years in jail."I was lucky to be released because I was a minor. If I hadn't been a minor, I don't think I would be here," he former sleeper cell operative also revealed how he was recruited by a terrorist. "Back in 2015, a terrorist messaged me on Facebook. At the time, apps like WhatsApp and Facebook weren't closely monitored. He told me to download the BBM app," he is a secure app through which video and voice calls can be made without getting tracked.'WAS 110% WRONG TO WORK WITH TERRORISTS'advertisementThe Kashmiri native said his first task was to arrange food for a terrorist deep inside a forest. "Then he asked me to pick up something from one location and drop it at another. This kept happening. Eventually, he was killed. But, before that, he had told another person that I was trustworthy... and the work continued," he further revealed that two of his friends were active terrorists while 13-14 of them were killed in on his past, he said he felt ashamed about working with terrorists. "110% it was wrong. Looking back, I sometimes wonder why I even survived," he InMust Watch
