Ahead of Eid on July 10, the government of Tripura announced guidelines for animal sacrifice and banned any kind of illegal slaughter and transport of cattle.

According to the guidelines, sacrificing animals has been allowed, said D K Chakma, the director of animal husbandry department.

He said that the government in Tripura has no intention to hurt any religious sentiments.

Chakma said, “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 added.

The senior official further said, “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, sacrifice of expectant animals, 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.”

Slaughter and illegal transportation of cattle has also been banned, mentioned Chakma.

The director of animal husbandry went on, “As per the cruelty against 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.”

It may be noted that Sonamura in the Sepahijala district hosts the biggest market for animals for sacrifice during Eid.

Meanwhile, the order from the government has been received with a degree of confusion from the people.

Clarifying on it further, SDM Sonamura Manik Das said, “The order has been issued just for illegal slaughtering and transportation of animals. The religious practices performed by people would remain unhampered by this.”