The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Nearly 100 camels slaughtered

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Wednesday, Dec 10, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Nearly 100 camels slaughtered

Special Correspondent

Police, officials did not cooperate with the activists
The animals were brought to the State without transport permits

CHENNAI: Despite repeated appeals and requests, nearly 100 camels have been brought to Tamil Nadu and slaughtered on Bakrid day, the Animal Welfare Board of India has said.

Board secretary D. Rajasekar said animal welfare activists in Chennai and Kumbakonam attempted to stop the illegal slaughtering of camels, but in vain. Both the police and the administrative authorities did not cooperate with the activists in stopping the slaughter.

All the camels were brought to the State without valid transport permits and necessary health certificates , Mr. Rajasekar said. The Board had wanted a directive to be issued to the authorities to seize the illegally brought camels and hand them over to animal welfare organisations such as the Society for Prevention of Cruelties to Animals, People for Animals and Blue Cross.

“No trained butchers”

As for camels, there were no trained butchers in the country and no pre-designed slaughterhouses were available in the States as required under the Slaughter House Rules, Mr. Rajasekar said. Severe cruelty was inflicted on the animals at the time of slaughter, which was carried out in the open. This affected those living nearby.

Moreover, as per the law, a veterinarian had to certify the post-and ante-mortem of an animal and its fitness for human consumption. The Secretary and the Director of Animal Husbandry Department had to testify, certifying the camel fit for consumption. Similarly, the camel meat could not be sold commercially in open places as per the Municipality Act, Mr. Rajasekar said. Already several cases were pending in various courts about camel slaughter, and any violation would amount to contempt of court. The Board had sent letters to the Chief Secretaries and the Director-Generals of Police of all States, yet the slaughter had taken place, he said.

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