WON’T BAN BEEF IF WE WIN IN NE, SAYS BJP

GUWAHATI: The BJP has clarified that if the party wins elections in the three northeastern states that go to polls next year, it would not press for cow slaughter.

“Ban on cow slaughter like the one in UP won’t take effect in Nagaland if our party comes to power next year. The reality here is very different and our central leaders are aware of that,” Nagaland BJP chief Visasolie Lhoungu told Hindustan Times.

Beef is widely consumed in the Christian majority states of Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland.

GUWAHATI: Amid a crackdown in Uttar Pradesh by the new BJP government to enforce a ban on cow slaughter and illegal abattoirs, the party has clarified that a similar rule would not be imposed in three northeastern states that go to polls next year.

Beef is widely consumed in Christian majority Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland.

To put speculation to rest, the party’s Meghalaya unit general secretary, David Kharsati, issued a statement on Sunday, blaming “groups with vested interest” for spreading rumours.

“Ban on cow slaughter like the one in Uttar Pradesh won’t take effect in Nagaland if our party comes to power next year. The reality here is very different and our central leaders are aware of that,” Nagaland BJP chief Visasolie Lhoungu said.

As per the 2011 census, nearly 88% of Nagaland’s population of around two million are Christians.

The figure is 87% for Mizoram and nearly 75% for Meghalaya.

Congress is in power in Meghalaya and Mizoram, while BJP is a minor partner in the Naga People’s Front-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) coalition in Nagaland.

“There will be no ban on cow slaughter in Mizoram and other states in the region where there is a majority Christian population,” Mizoram BJP president JV Hluna said.

Slaughter of animals and birds still takes place across North-east as part of tradition associated with some festivals.

“Even in UP, action is being taken on slaughterhouses operating without proper licence. While there will be no ban on cow slaughter, we would like the government to ensure killing and sale is done legally and in a hygienic manner,” Meghalaya BJP chief Shibun Lyngdoh said.