Butchers Association to call off strike soon

Shillong June 20: The Khasi Jaiñtia Butchers Welfare Association (KJBWA) on Thursday announced that it would soon call off its strike since the State government has assured to take strong measures to prevent smuggling of cattle to Bangladesh.

The KJBWA said this after a delegation met Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong on Thursday and submitted various points of demand to the government.

Selling of beef in various markets of Khasi and Jaiñtia region has stopped from June 7 in protest against the failure of the state government to prevent cattle smuggling to Bangladesh.

The butchers alleged that smuggling of cattle to Bangladesh has led to shortage of cattle for meat consumption.

The Association demanded regulation with regards to the entry of cattle from outside the state to ensure that cattle-laden trucks bring the cattle the state for slaughter and not for smuggling to Bangladesh.

The Association demanded strong action against cattle smugglers and there should be a challan issued to genuine butchers who would buy the cattle from the market and ensure that the vehicle that ferry the cattle should possess a health check up certificate issued by the Veterinary Department.

The Association also asked the state government to recognize the butchers and their meat shops by registering them with the veterinary department so that the meat market should have modernised shops with the help of the government.

KJBWA President, Generous Warlarpih said that the Deputy Chief Minister has assured to look into the grievances and the Association would also decide soon to call off the strike.