Residents demand shifting of Dogra Hall abattoir

Vikram Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 31

Residents of Christian Mohalla at Dogra Hall in Jammu have demanded shifting of the slaughterhouse from the area, warning that they would launch an agitation if the authorities failed to take any step.

The slaughterhouse is surrounded by residential houses on three sides, while its fronts faces the road, which is lined up with commercial establishments.

“We have been demanding the shifting of the slaughterhouse to the outskirts of Jammu as it has become a nuisance. Besides, the stink emanating from it is unbearable,” said Victor Gill, a resident of Christian Mohalla.

Another resident said animal waste, including intestines and blood, was being dumped into a nullah adjacent to the slaughterhouse. He said the animal waste had choked the nullah and there was every likelihood of spread of water-borne diseases.

“Those running the slaughterhouse are not following rules. Animal waste is dumped into drains which empty into the Tawi,” said Marium, 75, who lives near the slaughterhouse.

The slaughterhouse, which is running without the permission of the J&K State Pollution Control Board, also does not comply with specifications as it is situated in a low-lying area in the mohalla, which is in complete violation of the rule.

A division bench of the Jammu andKashmir High Court recently directed the JKSPCB to initiate appropriate action against the slaughterhouses in the Jammu region which were functioning without the permission of the board.

Divisional Officer, Jammu North, JKSPCB, Tarsem Singh Chib said: “We had written to the slaughterhouse to mechanise and upgrade the building as per the norms specified by the department. The (Jammu Municipal Corporation) authorities had sought time from us, but we are yet to receive any report from them. We will soon initiate action against it.”

Around 80 sheep and goats are slaughtered daily, except on Tuesday, at the slaughterhouse.