Tura, May 30, 2017: The blanket ban regarding cattle slaughter across the nation has received mixed responses from different sections of the society and the decision has not gone down too well wit Meghalaya as well. With Meghalaya being one of the highest beef consuming states within the country, angry residents have come forward to take on the ban on cattle slaughter.

A visit to the cattle market in the town of Garobadha in South West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya saw many come forward to give their views on what most called unconstitutional and unacceptable.

Garobadha is situated about 30 kms from Tura and about 20 kms from the international border with Bangladesh and is also a route for transport of cattle to further reaches of the state. It is also close to the town of Mankachar in Assam.

Though the centre through the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rule 2017 notified by the central government, with effect from May 23, the same has failed to dither the spirit of the traders and buyers, who came out in large number to the market today.

When questioned, the traders stated that they were aware of the new rule but felt such rules would not have any ramifications in the stat even threatening to not allowing BJP leaders from stepping foot in Garo Hills if such rules were imposed.

“Cattle rearing is a means of livelihood for us. It is impossible for the centre to impose rules to restrict our trade. Nobody helps us to survive or provide us any other alternative to this and we eat and trade cattle for our survival,” said Dalseng Sangma, a cattle trader from Rangsakona.

The Garobadha cattle market is regulated by the GHADC with traders having to pay a cattle tax of Rs 100 and another Rs 100 as bazaar tax.

Local sources confirmed that on a weekly basis a total of about 500 cattle is traded though the number goes up to about 3000 during the time of Eid. Most of the cattle are meant for slaughter.

“I have been into cattle trade for 40 years now. People buy cattle at the market for different purposes but mostly for eating”, said Aminul Islam, a trader from Kakripara from South Salmara district.

The traders feel that the new rule is an effort from the centre to impose a controversial policy that will hurt the sentiments of minorities particularly Muslims and Christians.

“We cannot leave eating beef as it is a staple food for us. It is an important food and culturally very significant for its use in different occasions. Marriage is incomplete without beef,” said Sebun Marak, a local cattle trader.

He said that the new rule puts a lot of burden with paper work making it tedious and difficult to adhere to.

“Most traders are poor and illiterate and such a burden is not acceptable and the process itself is a way to restrict us from eating beef. We will never allow such thing to happen in Garo Hills,” Marak added.

The new rule puts an onus on the trader to furnish a written declaration that the cattle have not been brought for sale for slaughter. The traders say it is absurd, as people would buy cattle for different purposes.

“Cattle market in Garo Hills is not regulated and would be difficult for the traders to accept such rules. The traders are mostly middlemen and some of them are rearing cattle for the purpose of sale only. There is no import and export of cattle legally from Garo Hills,” said Mostafa Kabir of Anti-Corruption League from plain belt of Garo hills, opposing such rule.

“People in Northeast would continue to eat beef. Nobody will be able to impose restrictions on our food habits,” he added.

TNT News