Telangana bans transport, slaughter of camels

Hyderabad, July 22 (IANS) Ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, the festival of sacrifice, the Telangana government, here on Wednesday, said transportation and slaughter of camels was a criminal offence and those indulging in it would be prosecuted and punished.

The Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department said as per the Rajasthan Camel (Prohibition of slaughter and regulation of temporary migration or export) Act, 2015, no camel could be transported to Telangana for any purpose, including slaughter.

According to the department, the high court in its interim order in a public interest litigation said camels shouldn't be slaughtered as that was inhumane, unconstitutional and would be treated as a criminal offence.

Meanwhile, the Cyberabad Police have also said stringent action will be taken against transport and slaughter of camels. The police had been put on high alert to check that, said Cyberabad Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar.

"The general public is hereby informed not to engage in transportation of camels, illegal slaughtering of camels and sale of camel meat in Cyberabad limits," it said.

"Any contravention of the above is publishable as per the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the GHMC Act, 1955 and under section 429 of the Indian penal code, which attracts imprisonment of up to 5 years or fine or both," he said.

The Commissioner said people could report any violations or Dial 100 or WhatsApp number 9490617444. The complainant's identity will be kept confidential.

Last week, the Telangana High Court had asked the state government to spread the message that it was illegal to eat camel meat and also prosecute those who were found slaughtering the animal.

The court passed the interim orders on a PIL filed by Shashikala Kopanati of Earth Quotient, an NGO, seeking court's directions to ensure strict compliance of the Provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and other laws, including the Rajasthan Camel Prohibition of Slaughter and Regulation of Temporary Migration or Export Act, 2015.

The court also asked the government to file a report on July 29, detailing the action taken to check illegal transport of camels.