After Uttar Pradesh, Bihar has now decided to clamp down on all illegal slaughterhouses in the state. The state's animal and fisheries resources minister Pashupati Kumar Paras made this announcement on Saturday, which will mean closure of virtually all the 140-odd abattoirs in Bihar.
BCCL/Representational Image
Only two slaughterhouses in the state are legal. "I have asked the department secretary to furnish a report on all slaughterhouses in the state ¡ª licensed as well as illegal ¡ª within a week. Based on the report and the norms governing the same, we would close down all illegal slaughterhouses," Paras, who is from LJP, told TOI.
ALSO READ:?Supreme Court Seeks Response From Centre On Order Banning Cattle Trade For Slaughter
BCCL/Representational Image
The two legal slaughterhouses are located in Forbesganj in Araria district, about 300 km from Patna. Animal and fisheries resources department officials confirmed that only these two abattoirs have licences.
The highest number of illegal slaughterhouses is in Seemanchal, which includes Kishanganj and Purnia. There are more than a dozen illegal slaughterhouses in Patna district. Licence for a slaughterhouse is issued by the respective municipality.
BCCL/Representational Image
ALSO READ:?In UP, Cattle Smuggling, Slaughter To Be Punishable Under NSA, Gangsters Act
Paras' predecessor Awadhesh Kumar Singh had also sought a report on illegal slaughterhouses from all district magistrates in March. The move comes a day after an illegal abattoir was sealed and three persons were arrested in Bhojpur district. Three others were held on Thursday after locals having allegiance to Bajrang Dal assaulted them for transporting beef.
BCCL/Representational Image
"This government promotes lynching on communal lines as witnessed in Bhojpur within a week of its swearing in. The issue of closing slaughterhouses is nothing but an example of misplaced priorities. Nitish is just a mask of this government, which is mainly being run by BJP," said RJD spokesman Manoj Jha.
ALSO READ:?As Supply Of Cattle Falls, India¡¯s First Fully Automated Slaughterhouse In Kolkata Shuts Down