SHILLONG: The Khasi Jaintia Butchers’ Welfare Association (KJBWA) has demanded the state government to put a stop to cattle smuggling otherwise it will go ahead with the shutting down beef shops.
When contacted, KJBWA president, Generous Warlarpih said that cattle is being smuggled from Khanapara to Bangladesh with Meghalaya as a transit point and alleged the involvement of NGOs and pressure groups. The association members have also decided to stop buying cattle from the cattle market in Khanapara, Ri-Bhoi.
Warlarpih said that the association suspects that the smugglers who are mostly local people would carry a certificate showing health check-up of the cattle everyday whereas even though health checks are only carried out once a week for cattle that have been transported from other states.
“Where do they get the health certificates every day? Even the health certificate is different from ours,” he said.
Warlarpih also informed that the Deputy Commissioner of Nongpoh has called a meeting with the association on Monday in which the Syiem of Hima Mylliem or his Myntri along with doctors from the veterinary department will also be present to discuss the matter.
It may be mentioned that the cattle market in Khanapara falls under the jurisdiction of the Syiem of Hima Mylliem.
