'No ban on slaughtering of animals in J&K', clarifies admin ahead of Eid

Srinagar, July 17: After it was reported that the Jammu and Kashmir administration has imposed the ban on the slaughter of bovine animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, it has now issued a clarification saying there was no ban on slaughter of animals on the upcoming Muslim festival.

 

 

“It was not an order. It was a letter from the Animal Welfare Board that has been referred to concerned departments (on preventing cruelty towards animals). The letter has been interpreted in a wrong way by people... there is no ban on any sacrifice on the occasion of Eid....” said GL Sharma, director (planning), animal, sheep husbandry, and fisheries department.

 

 

G.L. Sharma, Director Planning of Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Departments, said the earlier communication by the administration was “misconstrued”.

 

Sharma further added the letter issued should not be viewed as a “ban order” but laws to ensure safe ferrying of animals into J&K, identification of pregnant and sick animals. This is also to ensure no overloading kills the animals, he stated.

 

 

In a communique on Thursday night, the director had said a large number of sacrificial animals were likely to be slaughtered in Jammu & Kashmir during the festival scheduled from July 21-23. It added the Animal Welfare Board of India has requested for implementation of all precautionary measures. “...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; Slaughter House Rules, 2001; Municipal Laws & Food Safety & Standards Authority of India directions for slaughtering of animals (under which camels cannot be slaughtered) during the festival,” he said.