The Tripuragovernment would file a Special Leave Petition (SLP) before the Supreme Courtagainst the Tripura High Court order of banning animal sacrifice in religiousplaces which is a century old tradition, said a state minister.

According toreports, Tripura royal family scion Pradyot Deb Barman also announced to filethe petition before the apex court next week against the judgment of the highcourt saying the the court cannot overrule the provisions of the merger agreementwhich was signed on October 15, 1949 between Regent Maharani Kanchan PrabhaDevi and the Governor General of India.

Law andEducation Minister of Tripura, Ratan Lal Nath stated that the high court orderevoked a mixed reaction. He said, "According to the existing law, sacrifice ofanimals in religious places does not mean cruelty against animals. Hence, thestate government has decided to file the SLP before the top court. After theapex court decision, the state government would take the follow up steps on theissue."

A divisionbench of the high court comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and JusticeArindam Lodh said in a landmark judgment on Friday that no person including thestate shall be allowed to sacrifice of any animal or bird within the precinctsof any of the temples within the state of Tripura.