‘Cattle business was dwindling even before Centre’s order’

SHILLONG: The Khasi Jaintia Butchers Association (KJBWA) stated that they faced apprehensions in the business of cattle trading as most of the cattle are being smuggled into Bangladesh.
KJBWA vice president, Generous Warlarpih said, “Our business has been dwindling even before the Center’s notification on The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules 2017.”He added that the Congress led government did not make much effort to prevent cattle smuggling to Bangladesh.
The Association contended that the beef price has been hiked due to the smuggling of cattle along the International border.
They have demanded the setting up of “cattle check points” at Ri-Bhoi district and North Garo Hills district.
The members of KJBWA along with a delegation of FKJGP members apprised Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on the ban on purchase of cattle’s from the market.
A memorandum was submitted to him, the KJBWA stated, that the new Amended Rule, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rule 2017 passed by the Center is against the sentiments of the tribal people of the state.
The Associations asserted that the rule will have its impact on the employment opportunity of the people.
Indicating the figures provided by the BSF on the number of cattle seized, they stated that in 2015 there were 2,064 cattle that were seized in 261 incidents, again in 2016, the number of cattle seized was 3543 in 477 incidents and 33 smugglers including four Bangladeshi nationals were caught by the BSF.
While in 2017, from January 1 to March 14, the total number of cattle seized is 2151 in 240 incidents and nine smugglers including one Bangladeshi were caught.
The Associations maintained that hundreds of cattle are smuggled along the International border areas on a daily basis.