Cattle death case: Inquiry report finds NGO at fault

MOHALI: The inquiry, which was marked to investigate the deaths of 280 cattle in Mohali, has held Gauri Shanker Gau Sewa Raksha Dal, an NGO, responsible. Sources in the Mohali municipal corporation said that the members of the monitoring committee found various lapses and severe negligence in the working of the NGO.

The report has been submitted to the MC joint commissioner, Kanu Thind, who has written a letter to the principal secretary of local bodies Punjab and demanded high-level probe into the matter by Punjab vigilance department.

Despite repeated attempts, Thind could not be reached for his comment.

“Veterinary doctor at the pound and Malkit Singh, who is responsible for disposing dead animals from the pound, gave contradictory statements when they were quizzed,” MC sources said. Interestingly, in his statement, Malkit said that he was not aware of cow deaths.

The matter of cattle deaths was highlighted on March 13. The unrealistic number of 280 cows being dead panicked cow lovers, following which the DC took cognizance of the matter.

Mohali deputy mayor Manjit Singh Sethi levelled allegations against the cattle pound management of being negligent and responsible for the death of 280 stray cows in two months. Sethi further demanded probe into the matter.

According to data procured from cattle pound management, 138 cows died in February and 141 cows in January.

Sehti said, “I fear that the cows have been sold. The case needs to be probed deeply and thoroughly. I am yet to receive the inquiry report. I have been told that there is no record for dead animal, which were disposed by the NGO. The man, who is responsible for disposing dead animals has denied disposing dead cows from the pound.”