For a week the local police have been raiding biriyani shops following a complaint about use of beef..
Highlights
- Police raid biryani shops over suspicion of cow meat use
- Crackdown after complaint by government's cow protection cell
- Shops are the only source of livelihood for the owners
On the Gurgaon-Alwar highway, the biryani shops that dot the roadside may just shut down soon. For a week, in the run-up to Bakr Eid, when biriyani is most in demand, the local police have been raiding these shops following a complaint about the use of beef.
The makeshift shops -- tarpaulin sheets held up by bamboo sticks -- are the chief source of livelihood for the people of Mewat, considered one of Haryana's most backward areas. Their clientele is as poor - the local labourers and farm workers, who buy plate of the savoury delicacy for a meagre Rs 10.
For 10 years, Irshad Mohammad's family of six has been selling biryani on the highway. On an average day, they make Rs 300. A week ago, the police raided his shop and confiscated all the biryani. Mr Mohammad now lives in fear of his business shutting down.
"I only use buffalo meat and chicken and even keep the skins as proof. The police said they'll check the meat," he told NDTV.
"The police came and destroyed all our pots and pans. What do we do if we can't earn?" said Wasim, another biriyani-seller.
The local labourers and farm workers buy plate of the savoury delicacy for a meagre Rs 10.
Residents of the area are scared too. "The worry is that now the police will barge into anyone's house and check. It's dampening Eid," said Haroon, Sarpanch of Dowa village in Mewat.
When contacted by NDTV, the local police refused to comment on the crackdown, which comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's warning to fake cow protesters and demand that the state governments take action against them.
But the local Gau Sewa Aayog -- set up by the state government to check cow slaughter, which is against the law - says its complaint is justified. "We will report any such issues to the police and they will pick up these samples," said the complainant, Mangla.
Over the last few months, three truck drivers have been attacked by vigilante groups in the area over suspicion of carrying beef.
Cow slaughter is illegal in the state along with sale and storage of beef. Those found violating the law can be jailed for 5-10 years and fined 1 lakh rupees.