Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021:
Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021- A cow protection law that Assam enforced less than a year ago has led to an acute beef crisis in Meghalaya.
- The hill State’s main cattle market has also been closed due to non-availability of the animal for consumption.
- Various pressure groups in Assam groups recently held a rally against the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021, stating that the law was an assault on the farm economy in the name of religion.
- The law is aimed at regulating slaughter, consumption and transportation of cattle.
Highlights of the law:
- Slaughter of cow, calf and heifer is prohibited.
- Transportation of cattle from or through Assam is prohibited.
- Sale of beef or beef products is prohibited in areas predominantly inhabited by Hindu, Jains, Sikhs, and other non-beef eating communities.
- Sale of beef or beef products is prohibited within a 5-km radius of any temple, satra or other Hindu religious institutions.
- Those found violating the rules shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term not less than three years and up to eight years or a fine that may vary between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 5 lakh or both.
- If someone convicted is found guilty of the same or a related offence the second time, the punishment will be doubled.
