Over 25 cows die in Dewas gaushala in two weeks, locals allege neglect

At least 25 cows died in a transit cattle camp at MP's Dewas district over a period of two weeks. Villagers alleged that the cows died as a result of official negligence.

Dewas (Madhya Pradesh):Over 25 cows were found dead at a gaushala (cow shelter) at Shankargarh in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district, sending shock waves across the city.

The incident forced the locals to stage a protest against the poor management of the cowshed.

Villagers alleged that the cows died as a result of official negligence.

Locals said the animals were not given adequate food, water and medical attention was minimal.

"The gaushala was filled with mud, sludge and water. This may have resulted in poor health conditions and may have made situation favourable for the spread of disease among the animals. Cows died in the gaushala after rainwater and sludge swamped the shelter," said Congress leader Manoj Rajani.

"Cows are dying every day, but no officer has bothered to visit the camp. When I came to this place, I saw the cows buried under mud," he said.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, district collector Chandramouli Shukla said," Monsoon rain turned the transit cattle camp into a mud-filled place. It is suspected that the animals starved to death after getting trapped in slush and dung. I have directed the sanitation department to clean the shelter to prevent more deaths."

However, the administration has ordered postmortem of cows to ascertain the exact cause of death.