By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 19: The High Court of Meghalaya on Tuesday asked the state government to look into the relocation of livestock markets from borders in the state, after hearing a petition on non-adherence to a particular norm in Rule 8 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017.
According this rule, livestock markets are required to be situated a certain distance away from any international or State border.
It was brought to the High Court’s attention, through the petitioner, that the relevant distance norm is not being followed in the state. For ready reference, the livestock markets in Byrnihat and Khanapara on the Assam border were cited.
“The state must adhere to the Rules and ensure that livestock markets are not allowed to function within the restricted areas alongside the state and international borders,” the court said in its order.
It also pointed out that possibly, the entirety of the livestock markets from Khanapara and Byrnihat may have to be relocated. “The state will look into such regard, task the district-level committee with the work of identifying one or more alternative spots and ensure that appropriate steps for relocation are taken within a reasonable time,” it added.
It may be recalled that earlier the High Court of Meghalaya had cracked the whip on the state over open display of animal carcasses.
In the order on Tuesday, the court said that the matter pertaining to the more ethical treatment of animals may be implemented through village-heads and local tribal leaders apart from the police authorities under each police station. “For a period of time, the word must be spread before the actual display of open carcass is completely forbidden,” it said.
The court also acknowledged that a “comprehensive report has been filed by the state and it is evident from newspaper reports that some steps have been taken by the state for a more ethical treatment of the animals, even if such animals are ultimately culled for human consumption.”
However, the court has observed that this aspect of the matter will take time since a degree of awareness has to be built up and implementation at the micro-level will face resistance that the state has to be ready to meet and deal with.
Listing the matter for October 17, the court said, “Let the matter appear four weeks hence to ascertain what measures may have been taken to relocate the livestock markets in Byrnihat and Khanapara and what other steps may have been taken to ensure that meat sold for human consumption is not openly displayed alongside roads.”
