Meghalaya HC Asks State Govt to ‘Completely Prohibit’ Meat Shops from Openly Displaying Animal Carcasses

SHILLONG: The state government has been directed by the Meghalaya High Court to ‘completely prohibit’ the display of animal carcasses in meat shops across the state.

A high court division bench, which was headed by Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee, passed the order during delivery of a judgment on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).

Meghalaya HC Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee said, “The State would do well to set an example and completely prohibit the display of animal carcasses in meat shops, though they may be stored in refrigerators or containers or even in showcases within the premises and not open to public view from outside.”

“Otherwise, the State should ensure ethical treatment of animals across the board, even those which are culled for human consumption and those which are used as farm animals, including the mode and manner of transportation thereof,” he added, while delivering the judgement.

It was also pointed out in the judgment of the PIL that also pointed out that the hygiene aspect was being neglected, since grime and dust from the street is likely to collect on the meat thus displayed and there was chance of the meat turning toxic even before it is sold to customers. This could be reason for health hazard to the people as food poisoning may occur from consumption of such meat.

A PIL outlining the need to prohibit the display of animal carcasses was filed by Gau Gyan Foundation, a non-profitable organization which purportedly works to save, protect and preserve cows.

The Bench, headed by the Chief Justice, also deliberated on the fact that, despite there being central enactments and local regulations in place, the petitioner in the case had been able to demonstrate that most of the guidelines and norms were not being adhered to and that local-level committees at several places were not functioning or not even formed at these places.

The state govt has, therefore, been ordered by the HC to stop such open display of animal bodies in meat shops and to regulate the process through which the animals are slaughtered and sold in the market.

Also Read: Guwahati: After Kharghuli, Another Water Pipeline Burst in Maligaon, Spills Heavy Water

Also Watch: