Meat traders in Ghaziabad went on an indefinite strike on Tuesday against the district administration's order to shut down meat shops.

The administration had ordered the closure of the meat shops three days ago after a new BJP government took office in Uttar Pradesh.

"As our families started starving for food and other necessary items, we decided to go on strike outside the Collector's office," said Yaad Ilahi Quereshi, President of the Meat Traders Association here.

Quereshi, who owns a shop outside New Ghaziabad railway station, said he has a license from the municipal corporation.

But two days ago, the Kavi Nagar police station in-charge ordered him to shut his shop.

He said while he complied with the order, no officer had come to verify his documents. And police had not allowed him to reopen the shop.

"Our demands are that those who posses valid license should be allowed to sell meat," he said.

Ghaziabad District Magistrate Nidhi Kesarwani said no shop would be allowed to sell meat in the open.

She said a mechanism was being put in place for a single window clearance for license seekers.

The official said the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered, three years ago, the closure of meat shops which violate rules. But these could not be enforced.

"The five mechanised slaughter houses in Ghaziabad are not being being closed but 21 illegal butcher houses have been closed," she said.