PM's visit cages animals in Varanasi

Varanasi, Mar 14 (UNI) The two-day visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh starting this evening has transformed the holy city where not even a single bull or cow could be spotted roaming on the roads.

For the last two days, the animals, which were found roaming freely on the roads and narrow lanes near Vishwanath temple, Dashswamedh ghat and its adjoining areas are not to be seen.

Keeping security reasons in mind, the cattle catcher wing of Varanasi Nagar Nigam has either put the bulls and cows in ''kanzi houses'' or left them out of the city at distant places.

Meanwhile, the district administration has given clear instructions to the owners of pet animals to keep their pets inside their houses.

The district administration has further warned of heavy penalty in case animals are seen roaming.

UNI JL/JAS SB GC1603