The Ri Bhoi Welfare Organization (RBWO) today met the District Veterinary Officer to seek information regarding the new cattle market being set up at Ronghana village under Byrnihat area.
This organization took up this matter with the DVO to seek clarification on how this new cattle market is being set up.
According to information received by the organization, this market was meant for cattle but instead is being used to sell buffaloes, for which there is no demand in Meghalaya.
Speaking to this reporter here, RBWO president Eddie G Kharbani said that the organization was shocked to learn of this especially since it was not aware of any permission for a buffalo market in the district.
“Beef is the common meat, which is consumed by the people of the state and there is a shortage of cattle at Khanapara market due to restriction on transportation of cattle in Assam, so we were shocked to learn that buffaloes are being imported by the traders,” Kharbani said, adding that animals were brought to the market without proper verification or certification by the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department.
He also informed that there are traders who applied for a permit from the state government for the transportation of cattle but they cannot run their business due to restrictions on the transportation of cattle in Assam. Kharbani feared that the buffaloes will end up being exported to Assam as there is no demand for their meat in Meghalaya.
He also said that the organization was much happier on meeting the district veterinary officer, S Tham, who informed the organization that his department inspected the market and a report has been sent to the Deputy Commissioner for action.
