Updated on Friday, July 27, 2007, 00:00 IST

London, July 27: The Skanda Vale temple authorities have reacted strongly after their sacred bull Shambo was forcibly taken away for slaughtering, saying the Welsh Assembly government has committed the "most violent and ignorant act of desecration" of the temple and destroyed an innocent life.

Six-year-old Shambo, which tested positive for bovine TB, was taken away by health officials last evening after police were drafted in to remove protesters.

The freisian, officially registered as bullock UK 742266 200001, was expected to be taken to a local abattoir for a lethal injection. It ends a protracted legal battle which started when a TB test returned positive in April.

The forcible removal came after the community finally lost their high court fight on Monday.

In a statement, temple authorities said last night the police dragged protesters away and stopped a ritual act of worship, broke open the door to the room in which Shambo had been isolated and led him away.

"Amid the chanting and worship of the many emotional devotees, local police and veterinarians from the Welsh Assembly broke the peaceful vigil held at Skanda Vale in Carmathenshire to drag innocent Shambo away for slaughter, even as emotional devotees continued to chant and sing," the statement said.

One of the temple monks, Michael, said: "The Welsh Assembly government has committed the most violent and ignorant act of desecration of our temple and destroyed an innocent life."

Bureau Report