Buffalo Meat Is Legal, So Why Are Traders Being Attacked? Jalna Cattle Sellers Boycott Weekly Markets Over Vigilante Harassment

Several associations announced an indefinite boycott of trade in cattle in the weekly markets of Maharashtra's Jalna district from Monday in protest against what they claim was harassment and attacks from cow vigilantes.

The decision on the boycott was taken at a meeting of cattle traders on Thursday, a functionary of the one of the associations said.

"Despite trade in buffalo meat being legal, we are harassed by cow vigilantes. There have been instances of assault as well. The police has not taken action against these elements despite repeated requests. Police often seize our cattle, and we are faced with a long legal battle to get them back," he claimed.

The protest is expected to severely impact the rural economy here, which has 10 such weekly markets, said Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana Jalna district chief Sainath Chinadore.

Some of the protesters said a similar stir is on in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar since July 10, which has affected buffalo meat processing units there.