Guwahati: Despite the legal restrictions under Cattle Protection Act 21 and even several Muslim religious leaders appealing against cow Qurbani in Bakri eid, several markets are open on Saturday in various parts of Assam selling Cow and Bull for Qurbani. Such a market in Goalpara town was cleared by police immediately after the matter was placed by some organization. Muslim traders were selling the cow and bulls in ward no 10 in Goalpara town near a famous Kali temple. Locals complained that several cow bulls were brought to ward no ten on Saturday for Qurbani. But the mixed community locality has an age-old Kali temple. Slaughtering of cow-bull within a radius of 5 kilometres of a temple is prohibited in Assam. But police immediately sealed the market. On the other hand, chief minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma clarified that the slaughtering of Cow, Camel and other designated animals is banned in the state under the cattle protection act. He said, “I appeal the Muslim community not to hurt other religions sentiment while performing qurbani.” He further added that the act prohibits cow slaughtering and consumption of beef in an area where Hindu or other religious followers reside. So it is a sincere appeal to not hurt others’ sentiments. The CM said, ” I think that there is no need to enforce police action as I believe that the Islamic society will listen to our appeal.” It should be mentioned that consumption of beef in Hindu and other non-beef eating community areas within 5 kilometres radius of a temple is prohibited in Assam under cattle protection act 21.
