Animal activists have accused the staff of Mumbai Metro One of cruelty to stray animals and harassment of animal lovers feeding stray animals on the premises of the metro stations. The activists have threatened the metro authority of pursuing legal action against them if they do not allow safe feeding for the animals.
Animal feeders who have been taking care of feeding the stray animals living on the premises of the metro station on Ghatkopar-Versova line, have alleged that the metro staff has started harassing them for feeding the strays. The feeders have also alleged that while the staff has been verbally abusing them, the animals are also subjected to cruelty, including forced relocation.
Sana Hameed, a feeder who has been feeding the strays at Saki Naka metro station for two years, was the first feeder to raise concerns among animal activists about feeding at the metro station. She alleged that from the past three months, the metro staff has started keeping a watch on her when she enters the station and makes sure that she does not feed the animals. She also alleged that the staff relocated a cat, which had been living on the metro premises for the last five years, and also her five newborn kittens.
“Earlier the staff used to only instruct us to ensure cleanliness during feeding but now they call the sweepers and make them throw away the food while the cats are eating. I just want to ensure that the cats who live at the metro station should not be relocated since they are not accustomed to live on the streets and they should get food on time. Rest for my part, I am ready to follow their rule of keeping the feeding place clean,” she said.
After Sana raised concern about the issue among other animal activists, more feeders started complaining about similar instances at the metro stations. Kanchan Jadhav, another feeder who has been providing water to the stray animals living on the premises of the Western Express Highway metro station, alleged that the security guard asked her to not feed the animals citing that there have been complaints against it.
Pure Animal Lovers (PAL) Foundation, an animal rights organisation, raised the issue with Mumbai Metro One Private Ltd and a meeting was organised with the metro authorities at Saki Naka metro station on Tuesday. The animal activists have threatened the authorities of pursuing legal action against them if they fail to comply with the animal welfare rules and do not stop harassing the animals as well as the feeders.
The Free Press Journal contacted Ranjit Benipal, senior security manager of Mumbai Metro One, who said, “We had a meeting with feeders and animal activists and have mutually come up with some decisions, which I will be discussing with the authorities before implementing them. We ensure that we will take decisions in favour of the animals as well as the travellers, keeping everyone’s safety in mind.”
