Shillong, Sep 12: Police have registered a suo motu FIR after a video showing a pig being scalded with boiling water and skinned alive at an illegal meat shop in Tura went viral on Instagram.
The FIR was registered by Araimile Police Station on directions of West Garo Hills Superintendent of Police Abraham T Sangma, following a complaint by PETA India. It has been filed under Sections 325 and 3(5) of BNS and Section 11(1)(a) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
The video shows three persons pouring boiling water on a live pig and skinning it while it screams, with another person filming. Other videos on the account showed pig slaughter and meat processing.
Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety, Tangme Ch Marak has also issued a notice under Sections 55 and 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act for operating without a licence. The owner has been given 10 days to comply.
PETA India in a statement commended the SP and food safety officer for acting, saying cruelty to animals will not be tolerated.
As per the Supreme Court order animals can be slaughtered only in licensed slaughterhouses and that municipal authorities must ensure compliance with the ruling. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughterhouse) Rules, 2001, and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, permit the slaughter of animals for food only in licensed slaughterhouses equipped with species-specific stunning equipment.
