NONGPOH/SHILLONG: The weekly health monitoring of cattle at Khanapara market was suspended on Thursday after the Hima Mylliem levelled allegations of extortion by unknown persons.
The government started health check-ups and certification at Khanapara cattle market last week to tackle rampant smuggling to Bangladesh. The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department conducts the checkup and ear-tagging of the cattle once a week.
However, it was alleged that unknown persons were collecting Rs 60 for each cattle.
The Ri Bhoi district administration instructed the Department on Thursday to stop issuing certificates and ear-tagging to avert law and order problem, additional DC D. Phawa told a delegation of KJBWA and FKJGP in a meeting in Nongpoh.
Phawa said the district administration has decided to deploy a magistrate to the cattle market during health check-ups. “None could be deployed on Thursday as all magistrates were engaged, which could not be avoided. So the district administration decided to formally stop the process of ear-tagging and certification for today,” she added.
The process of ear-tagging and issuing certificates will resume next week in presence of a magistrate.
The Ri Bhoi SP has been instructed to closely liaise with the Deputy Commissioner and the Veterinary department and take appropriate action since the cattle need to be vaccinated before they are sold.
Meanwhile, butchers under the banner of FKJGP and KJBWA have decided to protest against the Hima Mylliem for obstructing the process and alleged that there was foul play behind the complaint.
FKJGP general secretary Dundee Cliff Khongsit told media persons that the federation would stop rampant smuggling of cattle, which is pushing up prices of cattle in Khanapara.
“This market is mainly for supplying cattle within the state and not an international market for supplying cattle to Bangladesh,” Khongsit said, adding, “If the Hima Mylliem finds any group or person who is illegally collecting money from the market, they should have filed an FIR with the police and bring the culprits to book, but obstructing this process is not justified as this will encourage the illegal smugglers.”
Generous Warlarpih, vice president of KJBWA, said they would support the protest against the Hima Mylliem. “If the Hima Mylliem still stops implementation of this new method, the butchers under the banner of KJBWA will not purchase cattle from this market from next week,” he added.
