Margao, Goa: Meat traders in Goa on Monday shut their shops in protest against the violence they faced allegedly from the members of a cow protection group in South Goa’s Margao. Recently, three meat vendors sustained injuries in a clash with the cow vigilante group after the latter tried to disrupt the vendors.

The strike by the vendors is likely to lead to a shortage of beef in the popular tourist location. The closure of the meat shops might affect the beef sales ahead of the Christmas season, when the demand for the red meat rises.

Read Also: Cow Vigilante And Nuh Violence Accused Bittu Bajrangi To Contest Haryana Polls As Independent

Tension spiraled in the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) market on Wednesday when the cow protection group allegedly intercepted a vehicle unloading beef, disrupting the meat supply chain. The meat vendors reportedly clashed with the cow vigilantes, leading to a fight and injuries of three vendors and two members of the cow protection group.

The beef supply is likely to be disrupted further due to the safety concerns, according to the vendors. The vendors have urged the government to rein in vigilante groups and to police protection for vehicles transporting beef from the Goa Meat Complex to other parts of the state.

Manna Bepari, president of the All Goa Beef Vendors Association, lamented that it was unfortunate that these vigilantes are harassing vendors while animals are transported for slaughter at the abattoir, adding that some vehicle drivers are now reluctant to bring beef here due to the security concerns.

Read Also: “Are Muslims Not Human?”: Aryan’s Mother On Cow Vigilante’s “Thought He Was Muslim” Comment

The vendors have sought a meeting with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to demand security while transporting beef. However, the members of the cow vigilant group have justified their action, saying that they got information about illegal beef supply. A member, Bhagwan Redkar, said that they came to investigate the potential wrongdoing.