Agrarian crisis, not 'theft' lowering cattle count

[email protected] (Mohit M. Rao,The Hindu)

August 19, 2013

Mangalore, Aug 19: In what is an oft-quoted figure, many rightwing organisations cite the decline in cattle population – as much as 1.5 lakh cattle in five years – as a result of the “menace of cow slaughter and thefts” here. However, officials of the Department of Animal Husbandry, attribute it to a larger agrarian crisis.

The quinquennial (every five years) All India Livestock census reveals that in 2007 there were 3.96 lakh cows and 15,000 buffaloes in the district. In the 19^th round of survey conducted in 2012, the provisional figures drop to 2.5 lakh cattle and 3,570 buffaloes – or 36 per cent and 75 per cent decline respectively.

To understand the decline, the figures of households involved in livestock rearing must also be seen. Not considering poultry, one in three farmers has given up their livestock in the five-year period, implying the younger generation has not continued the same agricultural practices.

Reasons

While commenting that cattle population had declined across the State- oxen are being phased out due to mechanisation of agriculture-K.V. Halagappa, Deputy Director, Department of Animal Husbandry, said the decline was far steeper in Dakshina Kannada.

With fragmented land holdings, no gomala land (pastures), a farmer has to rely on supplied fodder and feed, which was expensive, he said. “Labour is also a major problem here, while the children of farmers are moving away from agriculture. All contribute to the decline,” he said. From around 12 heads of cattle in 2008, to just two now, Giri Shankar, a farmer in Peramogeru village in Bantwal, said the cost of cattle feed and labour costs have shot up. “We don't get workers easily. We cannot sustain dairy farming along with our other agriculture activities. Only those with large herds and exclusively into diary farming can make a profit,” he said.

Though the procurement price of milk has nearly tripled in four years, these factors overweigh the benefits of cattle rearing. The economic viability is further stark when the trends in breeds of cattle are observed. A little more than half of indigenous breeds – generally low milk-yielding breeds – have gone out, while exotic crossbreeds such as Jersey have a better-off 16 per cent decline.

The cost of feed is now at Rs. 1,000 for 50 kg, and getting two people to take care of the cows is difficult, says Jagannath Shetty, farmer, Bantwal.

“I have nine cows, and I can barely sustain them. Even hay is difficult to get as paddy cultivation is also falling,” says Sucharith Shetty, farmer, Moodbidri.

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SIT raids rape accused BJP MLA Munirathna’s residence, 15 other locations

News Network

September 28,2024

Bengaluru, Sep 28: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing charges against arrested Karnataka BJP MLA N. Munirathna Naidu, including allegations of rape, honey-trapping, and other offences, on Saturday conducted raids at his residence and 15 other locations across the city.

Sources confirmed that the raids were taking place at his Vyalikaval residence and other properties owned by the BJP MLA. The operation is being conducted by the SIT under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) led by ACP Kavitha.

The team is examining documents, electronic devices, and other materials related to the rape and honey-trapping case. The SIT is being supported by experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), with Superintendent of Police (SP) Sowmya Latha also participating in the search and inspection at Munirathna’s Vyalikaval residence.

According to sources, the raids were triggered by information provided by the victim, who alleged that Munirathna recorded footage of sexual assaults and used it to blackmail politicians and public servants, including IAS and IPS officers.

The victim reportedly revealed that she was used to entrap the woman who had lodged a rape case against a senior IFS officer. She was allegedly instructed to frame the rape victim in a drug peddling case.

The complainant told police that she was tasked with capturing compromising videos of the rape victim who had filed the case against the IFS officer. She claimed that, after several failed attempts to obtain the videos, the victim was drugged with sleeping pills, and obscene footage was recorded without her consent. Later, the IFS officer was bailed out from the charges.

Furthermore, the complainant has accused MLA Munirathna of raping her at his office within the state legislature, in his official vehicle, and at his godown. She has alleged that he recorded videos of these assaults.

Police sources also revealed that the victim in the MLA's case provided details of a plot involving sending HIV-infected women to Munirathna's targets in an attempt to ruin them politically and personally. She also disclosed the names of several politicians whom she had entrapped through honey-trapping.

The woman further claimed that Munirathna had threatened to have her son kidnapped and killed if she refused to comply with his demands. According to her, the MLA had a well-organised team dedicated to carrying out these honey-trapping operations, and she provided details about his close associates and relatives involved in the scheme.

Munirathna, who was in judicial custody following his arrest in the rape and honey-trap case, has now been taken into the custody of the SIT.

The MLA was transferred from Bengaluru Central Jail to the CID office on the night of September 24. The BJP legislator, however, has denied all the allegations, claiming they are false.

Karnataka Congress leader D.K. Suresh had alleged that Munirathna was trying to infect his adversaries with HIV and that the government should investigate the matter.

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