Opposition in Manipur brewing to Rajth's beef ban stand

FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

IMPHAL March 30: From the categorical statement of the union home minister it is clear that the NDA government will impose a ban on cow slaughter. There had been indications in the past that the government is trying to usher in a Hindu tion in utter disregard of other communities. Indications are that other communities whih have more population than the Hindus in this region. The leaders of non-Hindu groups are not making comments as yet to the loud thinking of the home minister. However they are likely to protest once the government policy takes a concrete shape. These groups relish beef and there have been open cow slaughter and free sale of beef. Some disgruntled leaders said that from the very beginning this government has been forgetting that India is a rainbow tion and that food habit of all other communities should be respected. It is clear that the BJP with its majority will steamroller objections and sentiments of the other communities in the country as a whole. The immediate impact of this religious decision will on the elections of the Autonomous District Councils in Manipur which will be held next month. Being tribals people in these hill districts are Christians and beef is an indispensable item in the kitchen for each family.