No reason to link cattle slaughter norms with Eid, move to stop smuggling: Dilip

Kolkata: There is no basis of linking cattle slaughter rules with Eid or religious practices like ‘qurbani', said Bengal animal resources development minister Dilip Ghosh on Tuesday. He added that stricter norms being enforced by state govt are meant to prevent cattle smuggling and illegal slaughter."There is no basis for linking cow slaughter with festivals like Eid or qurbani. If there is a custom... that has to be performed in adherence to the existing laws of the land," Ghosh said.A week after state govt issued a notification to restrict slaughter of cattle below 14 years of age, Ghosh on Tuesday met a group of about 100, comprising dairy farmers, milk producers and cattle shed managers. "Illegal animal slaughter has been continuing for many years. This has to be stopped now. Cops are vigilant and I would request people not to take the law into their hands," said Ghosh.Specifying that the decision of state govt was not against any community, the minister said, "There is no question of targeting any community. There is a specific law and we are strictly implementing that." On May 13 this year, state govt issued an order, effectively stopping the slaughter of cattle below 14 years of age. Implementing the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, state govt mandated that cattle has to be certified as unfit for work or breeding before slaughtering."There was a notification regarding cattle slaughter. We held the meeting to discuss the issue with those involved in the milk trade and other stakeholders. ‘Gosevaks' and ‘gobhakts' also attended the meeting. We clarified the existing laws to them. We will soon have a campaign for preservation of cattle," Ghosh said.