In complete disregard to the freedom of conscience and the right of all individuals to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion, the authorities in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are planning to put a blanket ban on slaugh-ter of bovines during forthcoming Eid-ul-Azha.
Director Planning of Animal/Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Department of IIOJK wrote a letter to Divisional Commissioner, Jammu/Kashmir and IGP, Jammu/Kashmir calling for a ban on slaughter of cows, calves, camels on the occasion of forth-coming Eid-ul-Azha in the occupied territory.
In the letter, the authorities have been directed to implement all measures to strictly implement the Animal Welfare Laws viz.
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960; Transport of Animal Welfare Rules, 1978; Transport of Animals (Amendment) Rules, 2001; Slaughter House Rules, 2001; Munici-pal Laws & Food Safety & Standards Authority of India directions for slaughtering of animals (under which camels cannot be slaughtered) during the festival.—KMS
