3 shifts to save police from slaughterhouse stench in Deonar

With over 2 lakh sheep and goats brought to be sold at the Deonar slaughterhouse this year, the unhygienic conditions have taken toll on the health of cops

With over 2 lakh sheep and goats brought to be sold at the Deonar slaughterhouse this year, the unhygienic conditions have taken toll on the health of cops.

Around 400 policemen have been stationed at the slaughterhouse round the clock to ensure that the proceedings peaceful. While their working hours have been reduced to eight, manpower from other police stations has also been called in till September 15. “It will be inhuman to make the force work for more than eight hours and so we have made three shifts,” said a high-ranking police officer from the zone.

The conditions have led policemen to catch diseases such as flu, infections and other respiratory ailments, for which masks and gum-boots are provided. Medical aid has also been provided. The police had made elaborate arrangements to manage the trade before Bakrid.

“In the past, trucks were stopped on the outskirts of the city as the slaughterhouse could only accommodate 1.5 lakh animals. But this year, we haven’t resorted to stopping the trucks as the numbers of animals have been increased,” said the officer.

The situation is such that policemen find it difficult to sit at Deonar police station.

“An hour at the police station is enough to make one queasy with the foul odour even though the slaughterhouse is a bit far. To minimise the workload of policemen at Deonar police station, personnel from other stations in Zone 6 have been deployed to help and work in shifts. Even women officers are deployed at Deonar slaughterhouse,” said the officer.

Sources said that every detail is being looked into to avoid any law and order problem.

“We even registered an extortion case against the parking contractor after it was revealed that they overcharged some trucks. We registered a case and brought this to the notice of the civic body after which the contract was cancelled, the deposit forfeited and parking has been made entirely free,” said the officer.