Vigilante groups threaten meat shops to close...authorities rubbish their threat

Self-styled vigilante groups of our country leave no opportunity to shock people with their outrageous dictates. With the advent of Navaratri, the Hindu cause espousing groups have begun threatening meat shop owners and non-veg eateries in Noida and Greater Noida to close down or face dire consequences. 

A little known group,  Gau Raksha Hindu Dal, has demanded the closure of meat shops from March 18 to March 25. The members of this group have issued instructions to all dhabas and shops in Greater Noida West to remove chicken and mutton dishes from the menus.

“We are demanding the district administration to issue an order to the slaughterhouses to remain closed during Navratri. We have also sent a letter regarding this,"  said Ved Nagar, a member of the group.  

BN Singh, the district magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar, rubbishes this claim and assures the residents of GB Nagar that they need not fear these fringe elements as the authorities will deal with them very sternly. “We did not receive any such letter as claimed by the group.  And no meat shops will close. If anyone tries to forcefully shut them down, they will be liable for very strict action."

A senior police officer of GB Nagar reiterated Singh's stance. "Such kind of acts will not be tolerated. If anyone takes the law into their own hands, strict action will be initiated against them," he said and added, " Last year, Nagar was arrested and sent to judicial custody after he had forced the closure of meat shops in the Badalpur area of Greater Noida. He should not be inviting the same fate this year."

Allegedly on Friday, atleast 12 teams of the Gau Raksha Hindu Dal descended on the meat shops and eateries in different areas of Greater Noida and threatened them to shut shop during the festival week.