Beef battle reaches Kerala

Trivandrum: Before the furor over the police raid at Kerala House in New Delhi dies down, govt-controlled Meat Products of India has received a threat to stop selling beef or face dire consequences.
The threat came from two men, who went to the company's meat stall at Kakkanad in Cochin on Friday and asked the salesmen to discontinue the sale of beef. The workers said they could not identify the men as they had worn helmets.
The workers said the two had threatened to raze down the outlet if they did not remove the beef within 24 hours. The MPI has lodged a complaint with the police. Cochin Police Commissioner M P Dinesh said the investigation into the matter was on and added that they would appropriate action to prevent a flare-up. The Koothattukulam-based MPI, which has 500 outlets across the state, is receiving such a threat for the first time, according to company managing director M P John. He said the company had taken a serious view of the incident as it has come in the wake of the police raid at the Kerala House.
John said that the company would seek police protection to the outlets as they are selling only meat products allowed to be sold.
Though there is no ban on cow slaughter in the state, MPI is selling mostly meat of buffalo and bull as they are tastier and healthier.
The incident came two days after Federal Home Secretary expressed regret over the police action at Kerala House. It came after the Kerala government threatened legal action against the police officers responsible for the raid.
The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had subsequently clarified that they were not against beef consumption in Kerala. Beef is the most favourite meat item in Kerala. All sections of people, including Hindus, relish the red meat as it appetizing and cheap.
It accounts for more than 50% of all meat consumed in the state. The annual sale of beef is estimated at 230, 000 metric tonnes while poultry accounts for 151, 000 tonnes.