Guwahati: GMC bans open slaughter, roadside sales of meat & fish in city

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Four years after the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) banned open slaughter and roadside sale of meat and fish, the city continues to reel under unhygienic and illegal practices. A walk through bustling localities such as Hatigaon, Beltola, and Rehabari paints a grim picture—caged chickens gasping for space, goats tied near open drains, and raw meat hanging out in the open, exposed to dust, flies, and pollution.

The GMC’s August 13, 2021 order had aimed to curb public slaughter and ensure hygienic handling of meat and fish products. According to the order, no vendor could sell meat, poultry, or fish without a valid GMC license, nor could they display or process the items in public view. Yet, enforcement seems to be falling short. “Blood flows into drains, mixing with garbage and rainwater. It’s disgusting,” said a local officegoer. “These scenes greet us every morning. It’s not just about hygiene, it’s disturbing.”

Parents have raised concerns about the psychological effects on children exposed to these scenes regularly. “My son asks why animals are tied and bleeding on the road. It’s traumatic,” said a mother from Rehabari. Animal rights groups echo this concern, highlighting the cruelty and legal violations involved. “It is illegal to kill one animal in front of another. Yet this continues daily,” said an activist.

While the GMC claims to conduct regular drives, residents say enforcement is inconsistent. “Last month, we penalized vendors over Rs 1 lakh and shut two illegal shops,” a senior GMC official told this correspondent. “However, public cooperation is essential. People still buy meat from these shops despite knowing they’re illegal.”

The official also pointed to systemic issues, such as the lack of designated vending zones. “The allotment process is ongoing. Many vendors have no legal spots and end up selling in open markets.”

But residents are skeptical. “The municipality rarely inspects these areas. What hope do we have for better sanitation or health norms if something as basic as slaughter regulation is ignored?” said a Beltola resident. As Guwahati struggles with rising urban challenges, the failure to implement a critical public health order reflects a deeper problem—one of lax governance, public apathy, and a system still catching up with its own laws.

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