SHILLONG: The KHADC on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution against the Centre’s recent notification banning cow slaughter.
Congress MDC Manstudy Nongrem, while moving the resolution on the imposition of ban on sale of cattle for slaughter, said that the people in the State rear cattle for livelihood and consumption of meat is a way of life in Meghalaya.
In this connection, he observed that the District Council must protect and strengthen the culture of the people. “On our part we must voice our opposition,” he said.
Taking part in the discussion, UDP MDC HS Shylla said that it is next to impossible to ban beef in Meghalaya and stated that only doctors can bar people from consuming certain food and not political parties.
However, he said that the ban also has its share of advantages. “It will encourage people in the State to rear cattle. The price of meat will come down and organic manure will be encouraged in farming practices,” he said. In reply to the resolution, KHADC CEM PN Syiem said that the Council would write to the Centre and the State Government to oppose the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017.
Stating that the House will unanimously oppose the rules, he said, “We understand that the rules will have an impact on the economy and culture of indigenous people.”
Earlier, the State Assembly had also unanimously passed a similar resolution against the central government notification that had imposed restrictions on selling cattle in animal markets for slaughter.