Butchers in the State have questioned the legality of the recent statement by Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister Alexander L. Hek regarding the cattle markets located at Khanapara, Ri-Bhoi district.
It may be mentioned that Hek had recently said that it would not be easy to move the cattle market at Khanapara further inside the State. According to him, since Meghalaya is a very small state moving the markets away from the borders would be unviable.
However, Butcher Association of Meghalaya (BAM) president Esron Marwein said that the cattle market is already illegal as per the High Court’s order.
“Even the High Court has directed that such cattle markets should be closed down. Few weeks back, we met the Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi to discuss the matter and in the course of the discussion he informed us that thrice he had sent orders to the people who run those markets to close them down. Sadly, till date these cattle markets are still operating in contravention of the law,” Marwein said.
Expressing surprise with the claim by Hek that there were difficulties in shutting down the cattle markets, Marwein also alleged that the cattle markets were operated by three persons who are relatives and close aides of a minister and a ruling party MLA.