Telangana DGP M Mahender Reddy today urged the people of the state to celebrate the upcoming festivals of Bonalu and Bakrid in a peaceful way. Calling for communal harmony, he urged the public to observe the two festivals in a safe and happy manner.
Addressing a virtual meeting with the district SPs, police commissioners, and officials of the animal husbandry department, the DGP asked that arrangements be made to ensure that no untoward incidents marred the celebrations.
He reiterated that the transportation of animals would be allowed only if the relevant documents were produced by the carriers.
Reddy said that the festivals had not been observed in the state for the last one-and-a-half years due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, and added that it was important to hold the celebrations, made possible this year by the Telangana government's decision to lift lockdown restrictions, without any animosity.
He asked police officials to take all the steps necessary to avoid any untoward incidents during the conduct of the two festivals and to take stringent action against those transporting cows and calves.
The senior official also asked them to coordinate with the animal husbandry department while verifying livestock transporting documents. He then directed them to set up check posts in every district headquarter, and to take action against those found to be posting any provocative messages on social media.
Secretary (Animal Husbandry) Anitha Rajendran informed Reddy that the department had decided to deploy veterinary officers at every checkpoint.
The meeting comes right after a cow vigilante, Sanjay, was allegedly
attacked by "cow smugglers" after he tried to stop their vehicle.