Based on complaints received from the public about illegal sale of meat in make-shift structures on the roadside at Kadachanendhal here, a sanitary team of the Madurai Corporation conducted a surprise raid at 7 a.m. on Sunday and seized 150 kilograms of meat.
It was found that goats were being slaughtered in two temporary structures put up on the roadside and the meat was sold to the public in an unhygienic condition.
Following instructions from the health wing of the civic body, the team landed at the spot when the animals were being slaughtered.
The meat was seized and a fine of Rs 5,000 was imposed on those selling it illegally.
V. Shanmugasundaram, City Health Officer (in-charge), asked the officials to confiscate the meat since it could cause health hazard.
According to sanitary inspector S. Murugan, the raid was warranted as the local people feared that the slaughtered animals could have some diseases.
The animals should be slaughtered only in designated slaughterhouse of the corporation in Nelpettai. However, two persons in Kadachanendhal violated the rule.
“We found that the previous day’s unsold meat was mixed with fresh meat. The entire meat in their possession was seized and sent to the dump at Vellakkal,” Mr Murugan said.
According to him, complaints were also received from several other areas, including Surveyor Colony and K Pudur, and raids would continue in the coming days.
