Carcass dumping grounds under scanner

Kolkata: The state government has instructed all district administrations to intensify vigil on carcass dumping grounds, to stop chopping off of flesh from dead animals.

The flesh is packaged, put into containers and sent to hotels, restaurants and eateries in different parts of the state.

The matter came to light when two men, involved in chopping off flesh of dead animals thrown in carcass dumping grounds, were arrested in Budge Budge on April 19. During investigation, they told police officials that they used to sell the meat, mixed with fresh meat, in some restaurants in Sealdah.

Till date, nine persons have been arrested in this connection, including Sunny Mullick - one of the kingpins of the racket. Mullick was arrested from Bihar. He told police that the mixed meat was being sold in the border areas.

Accordingly, the state government has instructed the superintendents of police of the bordering districts to step up vigil on carcass dumping grounds.

Two people were arrested from Arai Number gate on Jessore Road on Friday morning, for carrying dead chicken. Local people saw the two men offloading chicken at a shop. They saw some dead chicken inside the vehicle, after which they intercepted the two and informed the police, who came and arrested them.

They have told police that they used to take the supply from a farm in New Town. Accordingly the farm, situated behind City Centre II, was raided. The police found 10 deep freezers and carcasses of chicken. Ten people have been detained. Investigation is underway.

Local people, who are residents of the multi-storeyed apartments behind City Centre II, said that at times they found it difficult to breathe because of foul smell. They had raised their voice against this, but had to shut their mouth because of the local goons. As they saw bodies of dead chicken on the street, they refused to buy chicken from that farm.

Those who have been detained, told police that they used to put the dead chicken along with fresh ones and the packets were sent to different hotels, restaurants and eateries. The mixed chicken and meat were sent to individual houses by deliverymen.

When contacted, senior officials of Kolkata Municipal Corporation said they will launch a drive in hotels, restaurants and eateries all over the city.

The samples from those who were arrested from Sealdah, were sent for test. The reports have not come yet.

South and North Dum Dum Municipality and Rajarhat - Gopalpur Municipality have also chalked out special drives against roll corners, restaurants and hotels.

A senior civic official said that in vast areas surrounding Dum Dum, at least 1,000 small and big eateries have come up in the past few years.

Drives to check the quality of meat have not been conducted, but with the problem of rotten meat being sold with fresh meat, they will be conducted in the restaurants and eateries soon.