Closure of abattoirs demanded during Jain Paryushan Festival

Mumbai, Sep 7 (UNI) The Jain Ekta Manch has demanded a ban on the export of meat and closure of abattoirs during the Jain Paryushan Festival.

The Manch had submitted a memorandum in this regard to a group of mayors on September 5 here during the function of 'Ahimsa-Jiwdaya Abhiyan', a press release issued by the Manch here today said.

Taking cognisance of the memorandum, Mumbai Mayor Dr Shubha Raul and Kalyan-Dombivali Mayor Pundalim Mhatre expressed their support to the demand, the release said.

This year, the Jain Paryushan Festival for Shwetamber Sect will be held from September 8 to 15, while that for the Digamber Sect will be held during September 16 to 26, the release said.

The Manch has said that there are about 4,000 authorised slaughter houses in the country and over one lakh illegal slaughter houses, small and large. The export of meat during 2005-06 was estimated at 550,000 mt, the release added.

UNI