The Karnataka State Qureshi Conference has demanded that the State government address various problems of the Qureshi community. They submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during his visit to Bidar district on Wednesday.

State unit president Abdul Nabi Qureshi said that the Qureshi community has a population of 16 lakh in the State and makes a living through meat trade.

He said that the business is at a complete standstill since the previous government closed slaughterhouses and implemented a new law.

He said that the Congress-led government should modernise and restart the slaughterhouses that have been closed in the State. He also urged the formation of the State Meat Board.

The Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act 2021 which has severely impacted livelihoods by restricting slaughtering activities should be withdrawn and the less stringent Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Prevention Act 1964 should be enforced, he said.

He said that strict legal action should be taken against non-government organizations involved in seizing vehicles transporting cattle in the name of cow protection.