Srinagar, July 16: In a big development, J&K government has been asked by the Animal Welfare Board of India, Govt of India, to enforce strict ban on the slaughter of cows, calves, camels and “other animals” on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha across Jammu & Kashmir.
Subsequently, an official communication dated 15 July 2021, has been sent to the Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu and also the Inspector Generals of Police Kashmir and Jammu regions, directing the law enforcement agencies to take “all preventive measures for the implementation of animal welfare laws in J&K, including stopping killing of animals and to take stringent action against the offenders violating the animal welfare laws.”
The official communication, a copy of which is reproduced by Ziraat Times below, to the Divisional Commissioners and J&K Police further reads: “In this regard, large numbers of sacrificial animals are likely to be slaughtered in the UT of J&K during Bakra Did festival scheduled from 21-23 July, 2021 and the Animal Welfare Board of India, in view of animal welfare, has requested for implementation of all precautionary measures to strictly implement the Animal Welfare Laws viz Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960; Transport of Animal Welfare Rules, 1978; Transport of Animals (Amendment) Rules 2001; Municipal Laws and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India directions for slaughtering of animals (under which camels cannot be slaughtered) during the festival.”
