Cattle market in Ri Bhoi for healthy beef

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, DEC 20: After the Khasi-Jaintia Butchers’ Welfare Association (KJBWA) stopped purchasing cattle from Khanapara market, the association has now decided to revive a market that was inaugurated two years ago in Ri Bhoi district for selling the cattle.

Beef sellers from Khasi and Jaintia hills decision to revive the market located at Byrni Rongkona under Nongpoh Sirdarship came after KHADC and Hima Mylliem ordered disallowing ear tagging of cattle brought from Khanapara market.

The beef sellers said that reviving of the market in Ri Bhoi district will ensure that the cattle that are to be sold are screened and tag after the health status of the cattle are established for the interest of consumers. They said ear tagging will also curb the cattle smuggling menace.

KJBWA vice president Generous Warlarpih told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday, “We have decided to revive this market for selling of cattle and inspection of the market has already been conducted on Monday in the presence of the district animal husbandry and veterinary official and police after permission given by the district administration.”

He informed that the proposed market will ensure only those cattle which have been screened and have ear tags by the Veterinary department will be allowed in the market.

He also said ear tagging the cattle will also curb smuggling to Bangladesh.

He also alleged that stopping of ear tagging was done with ulterior motive and accused KHADC and Hima Mylliem of having nexus with cattle smugglers. He said, “The attempt to stop ear tagging of cattle is seen as something which will affect their illegal revenue collection especially the Hima Mylliem.”

Taking cognizance on the complaint lodged by the Acting Syiem of Hima Mylliem against rampant illegal collection from ear tagging of cattle, KHADC on November 20 issued order directing ear tagging to be stopped.

Reacting to a query, Warlarpih however clarified that the allegation of illegal collection from ear tagging is baseless and misleading as this was done with the consent of all beef sellers.

The charging fee for screening of cattle was only Rs 10 while tagging is Rs 15 and this was decided after the department expressed its inability to do it free of cost due to fund constraints, he clarified.