The report mentioned that the raw meat sent for animal species identification is "S: Ovis arise (sheep)." Ovis arise is the scientific name for domestic sheep.
Published Jul 31, 2024 | 4:43 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 31, 2024 | 4:43 PM
Meat consignment. (iStock)
The meat consignment confiscated in Bengaluru Railway Station, on 26 July, under the suspicion of it being dog meat has been confirmed to be sheep meat.
Sharing the lab report results, Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao confirmed, “After meticulous testing, the lab results have conclusively confirmed that the meat in question originates from sheep. This finding lays to rest any speculation or misinformation surrounding the issue.”
On 26 July night, tension prevailed at the Bengaluru Railway Station, after Puneeth Kerehalli, a cow vigilante, earlier jailed on murder charge, claimed the meat consignment coming from Jaipur in the train was dog meat.
However, meat dealer Abdul Razzaq, who had ordered the meat, dismissed the charge. The consignment was ordered legally and it is not dog meat but sheep meat, he had said.
“We have legal documents to prove it. One can see the tail of the animal that was slaughtered. It’s sheep and not dog,” the meat trader said. However, Minister Gundu Rao, on the next day, 27 July, sent the meat for inspection and lab testing.
The press release stated, “Officials from the Police Department and the Food Safety and Standards Department have conducted inspections regarding the supply of sheep and other animal meat to Bangalore by train.”
It further read, “During the inspection, it was found that parcels received through a train from Rajasthan were being transported in a vehicle outside the station premises.”
“A total of 84 parcels were identified, and upon inspection, it was found that they contained animal meat. To confirm the type of meat, legal food samples were collected and sent for analysis to ICAR, National Meat Research Institute, Hyderabad.”
The report mentioned that the raw meat sent for animal species identification is “S: Ovis arise (sheep).” Ovis arise is the scientific name for domestic sheep.
The health minister sharing the confirmation, urged the public to not spread misinformation, “Now that the truth has been established, I urge the public to refrain from spreading unsubstantiated rumours and to rely solely on official reports for verification.”
“Let us work together to maintain a well-informed and responsible community. Your cooperation is essential in preventing the spread of misinformation.”
Following recent media reports alleging the transportation of mutton and other animal meat from Rajasthan to Bengaluru via train, we committed to thoroughly investigating this matter through scientific verification. To ensure accuracy, we sent a total of 84 parcels to the… pic.twitter.com/NzWsAqzJS0
— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) July 31, 2024
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula)
