More horrifying and shocking is to see animals being slaughtered in the open at roadside meat shops, where one can witness such cruel acts being undertaken without any fear and hitch.
DESPITE THE presence of automatic mechanized meat plants today many cities in India still have a large number of illegal abattoirs, where animals are being slaughtered without proper medical check-up with the connivance of health inspectors and officials of other enforcing agencies, who turn a blind eye towards the ongoing meat-trade after getting their share.
More horrifying and shocking is to see animals being slaughtered in the open at roadside meat shops, where one can witness such cruel acts being undertaken without any fear and hitch as the butchers themselves know there is nobody to stop them from doing so as they have paid bribe to the concerned authorities for carrying out the slaughter of animals in their shops many of which are operated without any licence and proper infrastructure which are mandatory as per the guidelines of civic bodies and the health department.Every big city in India has at least over a hundred shops selling poultry, fish, mutton, beef and pork. A majority of the shops have poor hygienic condition and are in the open. It has been seen that school going children and women become witness to the slaughter of animals as they are being killed in the open. It is disturbing as nobody wants to witness such ugly incidents going on every morning when you go out for a walk.
The mushrooming growth of shops selling meat has to be checked and they need to be made aware of the fact that there are certain guidelines prescribed by the health department, which have to be adhered to in letter and spirit. The government must tighten its noose around the neck of officers, who have been entrusted with the job of looking after the business, which involves great risk to human health. The animals being slaughtered in these illegal abattoirs get no veterinary check-up, which could result in health problems to the people, who finally consume the meat.
