POLICE ON PATROL; DEMONSTRATORS.




Initials GM/V/AS/MM



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: SHOPS AND BUSINESSES CLOSED DOWN YESTERDAY (SATURDAY) IN MANY TOWNS OF NORTHERN INDIA TO SUPPORT A DEMAND FOR A BAN ON COW SLAUGHTER. IN NEW DELHI, ABOUT 400 PERSONS ALSO DEMONSTRATED IN SUPPORT OF THE BAN.

MEANWHILE, NEAR MATHURA, SOUTH OF NEW DELHI, A 56-YEAR-OLD HINDU HOLY MAN DIED. HE WAS MEHR CHAND PAHUJA, WHO HAD BEEN ON A DEATH FAST TO PROTEST AGAINST THE SLAUGHTER OF COWS, WHICH ARE SACRED TO HINDUS. SEVERAL OTHER HINDU LEADERS ARE STILL ON DEATH FASTS.

THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT HAS MAINTAINED THAT THE QUESTION OF A NATIONAL BAN ON THE SLAUGHTER OF COWS CANNOT BE DISCUSSED UNTIL ALL FORMS OF AGITATION ARE WITHDRAWN.