On July 13, North East Congress Coordination Committee general secretary Padi Richo lashed out at BJP government-led under chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Assam over the Cattle Preservation Bill 2021, which envisages imposition of a total ban on the transport of cattle outside the state. He said that the Assam Cattle Preservation Bill introduced by the Assam government is a threat to the whole Northeast region.
Richo alleged that it is an “anti-people” legislation. “The bill once enacted would go against many Northeast states where large number of people earn their livelihood by selling cattle. It would also hurt sentiment of those who consume cattle meat,” North East Congress Coordination Committee (NECC) general secretary Padi Richo claimed.
“When cattle (cows, buffaloes, mithuns and goats) are traditionally linked to rituals and festivals of over 100-odd tribes and sub-tribes of Arunachal, will such a law not amount to disintegrating the NE instead of integrating the mantra of the NEDA?” questioned Richo.
Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma has also said that his government will approach the Centre if the Assam bill affects the state, stating, “We have to examine the law after Assam passes and implements it. We have to see the terms and conditions and how they plan to implement it.”