The Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories (FSL) in Maharashtra has developed a portable kit which can determine if a meat sample contains beef or not.
Director of FSL, K Y Kulkarni stated that Cow Meat Detection ELISA Kit can provide results within half an hour. The development comes amid controversies surrounding beef ban.
The BJP-led government in the state has enacted Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act which bans the slaughter of bulls too, besides that of cows. With this kit, officials would be able to examine meat samples on the spot.
The kit will help police secure more convictions in cases of beef possession or transportation. Each portable kit is expected to cost around 8,000 rupees.
Kulkarni further said that as the kit will help determine if the sample contains beef or not on the spot, police need not make arrests or seizures on mere suspicion.