Mangaluru : Union Minister of Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi has stressed the need for a ban on cow slaughter in the country.

Speaking to mediapersons after offering prayers at the Kukke Subramanya temple on Sunday, the minister said that the increase in the number of illegal abattoirs across the country was a dangerous trend.

“An investigation has revealed that there are over 11,000 illegal abattoirs in Uttar Pradesh alone. The network is active in Mumbai too. Money coming into these centres through various means is used for the manufacture of bombs and purchase of arms, resulting in the rise in number of crimes in the country,” she said.

“The rise in animal killings is evident from the fact that there has been a decline in the tiger population in India. The challenge before the country is how to check the killing of animals. Hence, it is necessary to ban cow slaughter. The number of cows have also dwindled over a period of time,” she said.

The minister said that juvenile protection units to keep an eye on abandoned children at railway stations, would be expanded to 200 stations in the country.

She said that there had been a rise in the number of missing children and trafficking in the country. Children run away owing to various problems at home. With the help of the Railways, the department has already started juvenile protection units in a few stations to prevent child trafficking and atrocities on children.

“The Central government is committed to check child trafficking. Such juvenile protection units have been opened at 20 railway stations. Railway officials will keep an eye on children who travel alone and those found abandoned on railway stations,” she said.