The traditional chief of Raid Marwet in Ri-Bhoi, Ken Syiem, has refuted allegations made by a cow protection NGO, the Gau Gyan Foundation (GGF), against the cattle market in Khanapara.
GGF claimed, after a raid on the market, that the facility was operating illegally by allowing for the slaughter of cows on the premises and was a hub for cattle smuggling into Bangladesh.
Syiem today denied all the charges, stating that the market follows the rules of the State government. He categorically said that there is no slaughter of cattle taking place within the market, which provides cows for slaughter to feed Khasi-Jaiñtia Hills.
“How can it be possible that the market is operating illegally when the valid challans and medical fitness certificates of cattle were issued to the butchers?” said Syiem.
He added that cattle smuggling is an issue that has to be dealt with by the state government and Border Security Force and is not a matter for the market’s management.
