Fifty-eight cows have died and 162 more were in critical condition after apparently consuming poisonous fodder at a Goshala in Sindhanur, about 95 kms from Raichur, on Monday morning. The Goshala is being run by Bhagavan Mahaveer Charitable Trust.
According to the details provided by the Goshala management, the workers had served fodder to the cattle twice at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Sunday before going to bed. The tragedy was discovered when they woke up at 5.30 a.m. on Monday as usual.
“The workers immediately alerted the Goshala management and we in turn summoned veterinary physicians right away,” Lalchand Jain, secretary of the Trust said.
By the time veterinary staff rushed to the spot and swung into action, 58 cows were already dead. They began treating other cows that were in critical condition and succeeded in saving them.
Poisoning
Veterinary staff concluded that the food poisoning could be the cause for cattle death. “Though the exact cause for death could be ascertained only after we get a detailed post-mortem report. Yet, we couldprima facie conclude that it is a case of food poisoning,” Eerappa, a veterinary physician attached to Javalagera veterinary centre, said.
It is learnt that recently harvested bundles of paddy straw, that were contaminated with pesticides sprayed before the harvest, was served to the cattle.
“Most of the dead cows have been buried en mass to prevent environment pollution and spread of infection. A couple of them are retained for post-mortem,” Deputy Superintendent of Police M.V. Suryavamshi, who visited the spot told The Hindu.
Huge crowd
As the news of cows’ death spread in Sindhanur and surrounding villages, hundreds of people rushed to the spot. Some people angrily expressed their dissatisfaction over the way the Goshala was being run. They alleged that the cows in the Goshala were not taken care of with sufficient and quality fodder.
Sindhanur tahashildar, M. Gangappa Kallur, Agriculture Price Commission member, Hanumanagowda Belagurki, Circle Inspector of Police (Sindhanur circle) Ramesh Rotti, Sindhanur Rural Police Sub-Inspector, Balanagowda were among the officials who visited the spot.