Shillong, Dec 11: The BJP MLA from 19-Shillong South Mr. Sanbor Shullai has written letter to the Chief Minister of Assam Mr. Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his concern on the beef ban in Assam has created concern among the resident of Meghalaya.
In the letter sent to the Assam Chief Minister the BJP MLA stated that the achievements the state of Assam has made under his guidance is highly commendable, which is often cited as extraordinary leadership.
For the entire north eastern states Assam has always played elder siblings role in bonding a United northeast. Thus they look upon for greater role and responsibilities in transforming northeast as per our Honourable Prime Minister vision of “Act East” policy.
Mr. Sanbor in the letter said that as we are aware the northeast consists of various tribes and indigenous people whose food habits are in line with their culture and the people are not against any religion nor do we want to hurt any religious sentiments.
However the recent ban of beef in Assam has caused a stir, in our state and has been used by our opposition parties to give it a direction that it is the hidden agenda of the NDA to ban beef in the entire country.
Although it has been repeatedly clarified by central leaders that food habit is a state subject, opposition parties have played an evil role in spreading wrong information among the indigenous communities of the state and region.
The beef ban in Assam has created concern among the residents of Meghalaya for a hike in beef prices due to this ban considering the festive season Christmas and New year in the state.
The local legitimate bovine traders have repeatedly submitted their grievances regarding bringing the bovine animals from other states to Meghalaya for legitimate business, agriculture and allied purposes. Meghalaya being a landlocked state has road connectivity to other states only through Assam.
The local people are predominantly engaged in agriculture and allied activities, including cattle rearing, dairy farming, organic farming and other livestock related economic activities.
The local bovine animals traders are already suffering due to section 7(1), (i), (ii) and (7) of the Assam cattle preservation act 2021. Sir it is a well known fact that beef is one of the main staple food of the people of the state and about 60% of the beef requirements in the state is met through import from other states.
So on behalf of the people of Meghalaya,the BJP MLA from 19-Shillong South request the Chief Minister of Assam for his kind intervention in smooth flow of transportation of bovine animals to the state of Meghalaya for traders and vehicles having valid documents provided by the state authority.
However all the points made above are made keeping in view of the food habits of the indigenous people of Meghalaya and it has nothing to do with the religious sentiments of any community and the people here are not against the religious belief of any community and we highly respect the culture and traditions of others.
Mr. Sambor pointed out the Chief Minister as the role model for all the political leaders across the northeast and the BJP MLA from Meghalaya do hope that the Chief Minister of Assam to continue to deliver with various developmental activities for Assam and other North-eastern states with a broader regional perspective.
