Kondhwa: Pune Police Cracks Down On Illegal Goat Markets Ahead Of Bakri Eid Festivities
Kondhwa, 21st June 2023: Pune City Police have taken action against goat market operators ahead of Bakri Eid or Eid-al-Adha on June 28. Notices have been issued to 12 operators, warning them against activities such as loading, unloading, or tying goats on the roads.
The move comes in response to complaints from residents about traffic congestion and commotion during previous years’ festivities. These illegal goat markets, particularly the one in Kausar baug-Kondhwa, have grown in size and attract goats from various parts of the country.
The Kondhwa police have taken measures to maintain discipline among sacrificial goat market operators before the upcoming Bakri Eid festival. Notices have been served to 12 operators, cautioning them against obstructing roads with their goats and ensuring a smooth flow of traffic during business hours. This marks the first time such notices have been issued following public complaints about traffic congestion and inconvenience leading up to Eid celebrations.
Senior Police Inspector Santosh Sonawane, the incharge of Kondhwa police station, stated, “We have issued notices to 12 goat market operators who have established markets for selling goats. These notices have been issued under section 149 of the Criminal Procedure Code in response to complaints from local residents. The operators have been directed to adhere to specific rules in order to avoid traffic congestion and inconvenience to the public.”
What initially started as a small goat market in Kausar baug-Kondhwa in 2014 has grown significantly over the years, with goats being brought in from various parts of the country for sale. The increasing number of sacrificial goats lining up for purchase before Bakri Eid has resulted in overcrowding and congestion. Local residents assert that the situation has deteriorated over time, prompting them to seek assistance from the police and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to restore normalcy in the trade before Eid.
Residents of Kausarbaug voiced concerns about the illegal goat market, stating, “The presence of these markets in our area poses problems related to cleanliness, traffic congestion, and other grievances for residents. The legal market known as ‘Laxmi Market,’ where shepherds sell goats, has been neglected over the years. Today, selling goats in Kausarbaug-Kondhwa has turned into a profit-driven commercial enterprise, causing significant inconvenience to area residents. We have repeatedly demanded the closure of these illegal goat markets, urging that they be relocated outside the city. The existing market has become a nuisance for everyone.”
Social worker Saleem Mulla highlighted the violations committed by goat market operators, pointing out the severe lack of space on the roads in the days leading up to Bakri Eid. Commuters and local residents endure significant hardships, with travel time from Kausarbaug to Kondhwa taking nearly an hour due to traffic congestion. Chaotic parking by buyers and encroachment on footpaths by small-scale goat and fodder vendors further exacerbate the situation. Pedestrians are forced to walk on already crowded roads.
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