SHILLONG: The Khasi-Jaintia Butchers’ Welfare Association (KJBWA) on Friday called off the indefinite strike after the State Government ordered resumption of regular health check-up and ear-tagging of cattle.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, KJBWA vice president Generous Warlarpih said that they have called off the strike after an assurance from the director of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department in a letter to the association on January 9.
The letter stated that regular health check-up of cattle will be resumed.
“We have decided to call off our indefinite strike and the sale of beef will resume from January 16. The department has agreed to hold health check-ups and ear-tagging of cattle at the new market at Ronghona in Byrnihat,” Warlarpih said.
The association decided to go on strike from January 9 after the Syiem of Hima Mylliem stopped cattle check-up and ear-tagging.
Warlarpih said ear-tagging of cattle at Khanapara will prevent smuggling to Bangladesh. The association members last year decided to stop purchasing cattle from Khanapara market in Ri-Bhoi.
The new market was established as a mark of protest against the Syiem of Hima Mylliem’s decision to do away with the health check-up and ear-tagging of cattle at Khanapara.
Warlarpih said cattle that are bought from outside the State will have to undergo proper health check-up.