Chandigarh, July 10 -- In view of the rising issue of stray cattle roaming city roads and public spaces, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) has launched a strict and focused campaign to control the menace. While speaking about the drives, municipal commissioner Amit Kumar said on Wednesday that the initiative aims at ensuring the safety and cleanliness of the city, particularly during the months of July to September, when the problem tends to intensify. He said that every year, the lush green belts of Chandigarh attract stray cattle from neighboring states like Punjab and Haryana, leading to a surge in their numbers. These animals not only pose serious traffic hazards but also contribute to unsanitary conditions in public areas. He said to tackle this issue effectively, the MC has deployed four dedicated cattle-catching vehicles, supported by a team of 20 trained personnel. The MC has intensified its drive to tackle the stray cattle menace in the city, with a sharp rise in the number of animals caught in recent months. According to official data, 164 stray cattle were caught in April, followed by a significant increase to 260 in May. In June, the number stood at 167, and within just the first nine days of July, 111 stray cattle have already been rounded up. The commissioner appealed to owners of animals to refrain from letting their cattle roam freely and warned that strict penalties will be imposed on violators as per law. The MC is also coordinating with gaushalas for the proper relocation and care of captured animals, he added. htc...