The Manipur police maintained that the Animal Welfare laws mentioned in the controversial letter are not directed at any particular community or religion
TFM Desk
A day after Muslim Welfare Organisation (MMWO) demanded CID (CB) SP’s June 13 directive to all district SPs of Manipur to curb illegal killing or sacrifices of cows or calves, camels, and other animals in view of In view of the upcoming Bakrid festival, the Manipur Police on Thursday issued a clarification on the issue.
Appealing to the general public not to misinterpret the July 13 letter and not to spread “misinformation” in this regard, the Manipur police maintained that the Animal Welfare laws mentioned in the controversial letter are not directed at any particular community or religion.
The July 13 letter stated that “in view of the upcoming Bakrid festival which will be celebrated between 19th – 21st July, 2021, all over the country, it is requested to kindly take precautionary measures to strictly implement the Animal Welfare Laws to stop illegal slaughter of animals and to take stringent action against the offenders violating the animal laws viz. PCA Act, 1960, Transport of Animals Rules, 1978, Transport of Animals (Amendment) Rules, 2001, Slaughter House Rules, 2001, Municipal Laws and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India directions for slaughtering of animals during Bakrid festival”.
The clarification issued by Manipur Police Department public relations officer K Meghachandra Singh stated that the letter by the SP of CID (CB) pertains to precautionary measures to be adopted for the strict implementation of existing animal welfare laws in the country and for taking stringent action against violators as conveyed by the Secretary, Animal Welfare Board of India, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Government of India to all the states or UTs vide letter no. 9-2/2019-20/PCA dated 25 June 25, 2021.
The directions meant for all states or UTs are circulated among the district SOs in Manipur as directed from time to time by the concerned ministry, it added.
“These are existing laws, rules and regulations to prevent cruelty to animals in general and to ensure that food safety standards for human consumption are maintained,” the police clarified.
It may be mentioned that some individuals on social media platforms had claimed that the July 13 letter was a fake one.