Mangaluru: Mangaluru City Police have warned individuals and vigilante groups against intercepting vehicles carrying legally sourced meat, stating that obstructing lawful activities, assaulting people or intimidating them could attract severe criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to 10 years.
The warning followed an Instagram post by the Bajrang Dal alleging that cattle were being illegally transported from Talapady to Jokatte and accusing Kankanady police of ignoring information provided by the organisation.
Refuting the allegation, Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy said the vehicle in question was not carrying live cattle for slaughter. It was transporting meat legally procured in Kerala to a licensed shop in Mangaluru, and the police had verified the relevant information regarding the consignment, according to reports.
The commissioner reiterated that the police would act firmly against cow slaughter and illegal cattle transportation. “We will catch every instance of cow slaughter or illegal cattle transport. All you have to do is inform us,” he said.
At the same time, he stressed the distinction between prohibited activities and lawful meat trade, noting that while cow slaughter is banned under Karnataka law, the transportation and sale of meat obtained through legal channels are permitted in accordance with applicable regulations.
The police also cautioned that individuals or groups cannot take the law into their own hands by stopping vehicles engaged in lawful activities or threatening or assaulting those involved. Such actions could themselves constitute criminal offences and invite imprisonment of up to 10 years, depending on the applicable legal provisions and circumstances.
Police have also received a complaint concerning an alleged attempt by some individuals to intercept the vehicle on Monday morning. Officials indicated that a case would be registered if the allegations were found to be true. No confirmation of a case being registered in connection with that complaint was available in the reports reviewed.
The police urged members of the public to report suspected violations to the authorities rather than attempting to enforce the law themselves, reiterating that allegations of illegal cattle transportation would be investigated through proper legal channels.
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