Taking a cue from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, Bhartiya Janata Party in Bihar on Friday demanded formation of anti-Romeo squads for the safety of girls and women in the State.
“Bihar government should also constitute anti-Romeo squads to deal with anti-social elements… the squads should be deployed at schools, colleges, universities and busy markets,” demanded senior state BJP leader and former deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi. “ Anti-Romeo squads are must in the state in view of the growing number of cases of crime against women and girls on the streets,” Mr. Modi told journalists in Patna.
‘Ban illegal abattoirs’
On Thursday, Leader of Opposition and State BJP leader Prem Kumar had demanded a ban on illegal cattle slaughter houses. “Like Uttar Pradesh, the government here in Bihar too should ban illegal cattle slaughterhouses ,” demanded Prem Kumar.
Responding his demand, Animal Husbandry Minister Awadhesh Kumar Singh said a report had already been sought from the district magistrates on the illegal slaughter houses in their respective districts “despite a ban on cattle slaughter in the state”.
“There is a committee in every district headed by District Magistrates to monitor cattle slaughter...we’ve asked the DMs to submit a report on illegal slaughterhouses so that steps can be taken to stop such illegal activities”, said the minister.
The Bihar Prevention and Improvement of Animal Act’ 1955 only allows slaughter of bovines either more than 15-years old or disabled. Such animals can be slaughtered only after ante-mortem to prevent spread of diseases. However, sources told The Hindu that many illegal cattle slaughter houses were operating in Seemanchal districts of Katihar, Kishanganj, Purnia and Araria. Very few of them were registered with the concerned local urban body.
Meanwhile, some Bihar BJP leaders said that branches of the Hindu Yuva Vahini , an organization of Hindu youths founded by U.P. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, would be opened soon in the border districts of Bihar. “By June-July this year, I expect branches of Hindu Yuva Vahini to be opened in districts like Kishanganj, Purnia and Katihar…it is must,” said a State BJP leader working for the party in the Seemanchal areas.
