SHILLONG, JAN 18: Protesting against the failure of the government to stop the menace of smuggling of cattle to neighbouring Bangladesh, beef sellers in the state has call for a 17-day strike, effective from Monday.
The decision taken by the beef sellers under the banner of the Khasi Jaintia Butchers Welfare Association (KJBWA) which will hit the consumers as all beef shops will remain closed during the days of the strike.
“We have decided to call the strike starting from today till February 3,” KJBWA vice president Generious Warlarpih told reporters at a press conference on Monday.
Informing that the sale of beef will only resume after February 3, he however said, “But the rate will have to be hiked.” Rate of beef in the state at present is Rs 280 per kg (with bones) and Rs 320 per kg (boneless).
According to him, the failure of the authorities concerned to address the problem of cattle smuggling has affected the beef sellers in the state.
Alleging that there is a very high demand for beef in Bangladesh, Warlarpih said, “Due to this reason, the cattle traders from Assam have refused to sell their cattle to the beef vendors at the cattle market at Khanapara in Ri Bhoi district.”
“We are not able to buy the cattle since these have been specially stipulated to be smuggled into Bangladesh,” Warlarpih alleged adding “Around 20 trucks carrying at least 17 to 18 cattle in each are being smuggled out to Bangladesh from this market via Laitlyngkot or Pynursla in East Khasi Hills District.”
Meanwhile, the KJBWA vice president informed that the beef sellers have decided to sell meat only on January 21. According to them, the beef to be sold on this day were the one bought from an auction by the customs department.
He informed that the 74 cattle bought from an auction will be shared among the beef sellers.
Earlier, district police had seized a total of 126 cattle from Pynursla area.Out of this, 74 were initially kept at Pynursla police station and brought to Shillong for auctioning.
“However, the other remaining 52 cattle which were kept at Mawngap outpost and subsequently auctioned managed to reach its intended destination,” Warlarpih alleged. He said that the association is sure that the 52 cattle was bought by one person who is not their member and were subsequently smuggled into Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, the KJBWA appreciated the East Khasi Hills police for being proactive and seizing the 126 cattle. –By Our Reporter
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