SHILLONG, July 16: Since Assam introduced its Cow Preservation Bill recently, many stakeholders in Meghalaya have begun feeling trepidation at the supposed after-effects and impact of the Bill in state.
Joining the chorus, the Butcher Association of Meghalaya (BAM), on Friday, sought the intervention of Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong in calling upon the Assam government to facilitate the movement of cattle-laden trucks destined to Meghalaya.
In a petition to the deputy chief minister, BAM president Esron Marwein said that the state government should speak clearly with its counterpart to ensure that cattle trucks from other states coming through Assam are not prevented entry to Meghalaya.
Marwein said that such trucks are usually destined to various cattle markets like Baridua, Khanapara and Jirang cattle markets across Ri Bhoi.
“We request the government to intervene before the proposed Assam Cattle Preservation Bill 2021 becomes an Act,” he asserted.
Suggesting a solution to minimise smuggling of cattle, Marwein requested the Meghalaya government to register all butchers in the state.
He also urged the government to review the State Prevention Cruelty of Animals Act, while maintaining that the butchers have faced problems due to the provisions incorporated in the said Act.
