Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia
Sullia, Apr 5: Union minister for women and child development Maneka Gandhi, who is also an animal rights activist on Sunday April 5 called for a nationwide ban on cow slaughter and said that the increase in the number of illegal slaughter houses in the country was a worrying trend.
She was speaking to reporters at a guest house prior to offering puja at Kukke Subramanya Temple here on Sunday.
"A probe has revealed that there are 11,000 illegal slaughter houses in Uttar Pradesh alone. This network is active in Mumbai too. Money coming in to these centres through various means is used for preparing bombs and obtaining arms, which in turn has been the reason for growing number of crimes in the country.
"There has been a drastic rise in the killing of animals in the country, and the plunge in tiger population is an indicator of this fact. The big question before us is how to stop this. Hence, it is necesary to ban cow slaughter in the country. Moreover, if the resources obtained from cow are not used in the right way, it will affect our economy," she said.
Special units to rescue kids at railway stations
Maneka Gandhi said that her ministry along with the help of railway ministry has set up a special child unit to rescue children who are seen wandering alone in railways stations.
"Cases of innocent children going missing or being kidnapped are increasing in the country. Children who are subjected to domestic violence or abuse by outsiders leave their homes and vanish. Such children wander around aimlessly at railways stations and other place, and become easy prey for criminals who kidnap and use them for anti-social and anti-national activities. Hence, a special children's unit has been set up with the help of the railway ministry to curb cases of kidnapping and abuse of such children," she explained.
"The union government has given much importance to curbing cases of kidnapping and harassment of children. The government in collaboration with the women and child developement department has taken new initiatives to protect children, including opening of special units at railway stations to rescue homeless children. At present, these units have been opened at 20 railway stations across the country. The officials of these units will look out for children who are found to be wandering unaccompanied or moving around suspiciously. Soon, such units will be set up in over 200 railway stations all over the country," she added.
When reporters asked her about minister Giriraj Jain's recent racial comments against Sonia Gandhi, Maneka Gandhi declined to comment.
She later visited Kukke Shree Subramanya and offered special puja. She was accompanied by Puttur assistant commissioner Basavaraj, Sullia tahsildar Srinivas Shetty and others.