By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bindo Mathew Lanong has asserted that the Government would not suspend the construction of the proposed slaughter house at Mawlai Mawiong despite protests from numerous corners.
“The government has come up with this project with the positive intention of providing safe and hygienic meat to the citizens of the State. We are also contemplating to maximize the hygienic recovery of animal byproducts of value apart from recovery of animal offal, skin, horns, hooves, small and large intestines,” Lanong said while replying
to the call attention motion moved by James K Sangma (NCP) in the State Assembly on Friday on The Shillong Times report “Mawlai Slaughter House: Dorbar Fires Fresh Salvo”.
While maintaining that the concept of having a slaughter house is not a new thing, he said the same has been adapted nationally and internationally.
‘In fact, the members of the Shillong Butcher House had gone to Chennai on a tour sponsored by the government to see the functioning of the various slaughter houses,” Lanong said adding that the government has also taken the members of the local Dorbar Shnong of Mawlai Mawiong and its residents into confidence before initiating the project.
“Personally, I have also had discussion with the people of Mawlai Mawiong. Majority of them were impressed with this initiative,” the Deputy Chief Minister said. According to Lanong, the capacity of the abattoir is of 160 large animals, 240 pigs and 240 small animals (goat) per day.
Earlier, Sangma had pointed out that the residents are extremely concerned over water pollution due to the proximity to the Marten dumping ground in wake of the construction of the slaughter house.
While urging that the Marten dumping ground should first be equipped to tackle the expected problems, Sangma said that the abattoir project should be put on hold till then.
