Two civic bodies in Haryana order slaughter ban

Joining their counterparts of Maharashtra and Gujarat, two civic bodies in Haryana have ordered ban on slaughter of animals for nine days in view of Jain festival even as the state government insisted that there was no restriction on sale of meat.
Fatehabad Municipal Council, in a notice to slaughter house owners, has said there should be no slaughter of animals with effect from yesterday in view of Jain 'Paryushan Parv' (fasting festival).
It warned them of legal action in case they violate the order prohibiting slaughter of animals.
In Hisar also, all meat shops and slaughter houses in district municipal/city council and municipalities areas were ordered to remain closed from today till September 19.

Nagar Nigam Secretary Arvind Bishnoi, in a statement, said the step has been taken in view of the Jain festival.
"Strict legal action would be taken against any meat vendor or person found selling the meat. This order will remain in force till September 19," Bishnoi added.

Notably, Haryana will have Panchayat polls next month.
Meanwhile, an official spokesman of the state government said, "No restriction has been imposed on sale of meat in the state, rather only an appeal was made to keep slaughter houses in Haryana closed from September 11 to 19 in view of 'Paryushan Parv' festival."

He said that in this direction, the Commissioners of Municipal Corporations, Deputy Commissioners, executive officers of Municipal Councils and Municipalities had been asked to appeal to the owners of slaughter houses not to slaughter animals during the festival.
The spokesman added that every year the government makes such appeals in view of religious festivals.
The move by the civic authorities in Haryana comes even as a row continues over meat sale ban in some parts of Maharashtra and Rajasthan during the Jain festival.