Assam cow protection Bill | Meghalaya will raise issue if State is affected: CM

Assam’s proposed Bill to cease the transportation of cattle or use the State for transit of the “sacred” bovine animal has posed an issue for its northeastern neighbours.

Many within the Christian-majority States of Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland eat beef. While Mizoram and Nagaland have chosen to not react, the Meghalaya authorities mentioned it might search the Centre’s intervention if the Assam Cattle Preservation Bill, 2021, impacts its folks and financial system.

The Bill, accredited by the Assam Cabinet on July 7, will be positioned earlier than the State Assembly within the upcoming session. It seeks to exchange the prevailing Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 1950, that enables the slaughter of cattle above 14 years of age after approval from native veterinary officers.

“We will raise the issue not only with the Assam government but also the Centre if the law affects transit of cattle to Meghalaya from other States,” Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma mentioned.

He mentioned the Meghalaya authorities had already mentioned the Assam Bill with cattle-supplying States resembling Bihar, Telangana and West Bengal.

“Transportation of cattle from these States to Meghalaya should not be a problem. All steps will be taken from our side to ensure that supply is not hampered because of the law to be passed by the Assam government,” Mr. Sangma mentioned, including that his authorities would first look at the Assam laws earlier than any transfer.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had mentioned the proposed laws would ban the motion of cattle to and from the State primarily to verify cattle smuggling to Bangladesh.

Dr. Sarma had additionally mentioned beef shouldn’t be consumed in areas the place Hindus dwell and the place the animal is worshipped.

Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have legislations for the protection of cows.