Illegal cattle markets raided in Pindi

Watto says these illegal markets were creating traffic snarl-ups

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi district administration on Monday confiscated scores of sacrificial animals and hauled them away to a warehouse as it raided illegal cattle markets set up in the Dhoke Syedan area of the city.

Dozens of vendors were also booked during the operation.

Traders had been repeatedly warned that the sale of sacrificial animals is only allowed at the designated cattle markets set up outside the city while the sale and purchase of cows, goats and camels in the city is prohibited.

The district administration on Monday launched a crackdown against illegal sacrificial animal sale points which have mushroomed across the city.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) Additional Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Faisal Watto and Cantonment Assistant Commissioner (AC) Ramsha Javed. Workers of the Civil Defence Department (CDD) also took part in the operation.

Sacrificial animals were seized from illegal markets set up in the Dhoke Syedan, Misriyal Road and Bhatta Chowk. They were loaded onto trucks and shifted to a warehouse.

RCB Additional CEO said that Watto said that the government has set up proper cattle markets with all possible arrangements to prevent the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) from spreading. However, he added, some opportunists have set up illegal cattle markets in different areas of the city.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2020.