Tripura Issues Guidelines For Animal Sacrifice Ahead Of Eid-ul-Adha

Agartala: Tripura government has issued special guidelines for animal sacrifices and any kind of illegal slaughtering and transportation of cattle has been banned ahead of Eid-ul-Adha.

DK Chakma, director of the animal husbandry department, clarified that as per the guidelines, animal sacrifice has been permitted and the Tripura government has no intention of hurting any religious sentiments whatsoever.

"We have received guidelines from the National Animal Welfare Board which underlines the several Court judgments and existing laws against cruelty against animals. On June 18 last, the guidelines were forwarded to all the District Magistrates and SPs as they act as the enforcement agency. Accordingly, the lower rank officers have been informed of the special newly imposed restrictions," he said.

The senior official also dismissed the rumours circulating that the Tripura government has imposed a blanket ban on animal sacrifice.

"People may have mistaken the concept of illegal animal sacrifice for animals. In the set of guidelines issued by the Central government, the matters have been clearly defined and necessary directions have been passed to the authorities concerned. According to the rules, the sacrifice of expectant animals, and animals having calves below a certain age if sacrificed; it will be considered as illegal. Similarly, a host of parameters have been prescribed to discern whether the slaughter is legal or illegal," he added.

He also informed that besides slaughter, illegal transportation of cattle has also been prohibited.

"As per the cruelty against the animal act, transportation of animals from one place to another has also been prescribed. Any violation of that shall invite legal proceedings. That is why the order has been communicated for public awareness," Chakma further said.

Notably, Sepahijala district's Sonamura hosts the biggest market of animals for sacrifice during Eid.

The government order has left the people of the Muslim community in Tripura in a state of confusion.

"The order has been issued just for illegal slaughtering and transportation of animals. The religious practices performed by people would remain unhampered by this," Manik Das, the SDM of Sonamura, said.

Meanwhile, the top brass of the Muslim community has refrained from passing any comments pertaining to the matter.

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