Meghalaya Facing Beef Shortage; Traders Demand Solution

Shillong: The state of Meghalaya is facing a shortage in beef following the enforcement of the Assam Cattle Preservation (Amendment) Act, 2021 in Assam.

One of the major reasons behind this shortfall is the fact that the transportation of beef through or from Assam has been put to a halt as a result of this law.

According to reports, the cattle market of the Syiem of Mylliem at Khanapara has also been closed.

This situation has led to the beef traders in the state going through a lot of hardships as many of them have been compelled to purchase cattle from the black market, where they end up paying a much higher price than usual.

Generous Warlarpih, the general secretary of the Khasi Jaintia Butchers' Association, has accused the Meghalaya Government of failing to take any action pertaining to the issue and he added that the entry of cattle into Meghalaya has been stopped by the Assam Government.

He also alleged the Meghalaya government of not addressing the issue as it should have been.

The Meghalaya government had earlier claimed to have issued challans to the local traders but Warlarpih did not really buy this and dismissed the government's claim.

The general secretary of the Khasi Jaintia Butchers' Association also informed that the association will now ask the state government to put an end to those challans and he deemed it to be useless because no one in the state has received them.

However, the association stated that it respected the laws in Assam and urged the Meghalaya government to make alternative arrangements if cattle transportation from Assam cannot be made possible.

The association concluded by saying that the state government should ensure the free flow of cattle from other states like West Bengal, via Assam.

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