Shillong, Dec 11: BJP legislator from South Shillong Constituency, Sanbor Shullai, has written to Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, raising concerns over the implications of Assam’s recent beef ban on Meghalaya. Shullai highlighted how the issue has been misused by opposition parties to create a narrative suggesting that the NDA harbors a hidden agenda to ban beef across the country.
In his letter, Shullai praised Dr. Sarma’s leadership, describing Assam as a role model for the northeastern states. “It gives me immense pleasure to extend the warmest season’s greetings to you Sir from the people of Meghalaya. You have always been a source of inspiration for our people. The achievements the state of Assam has made under your guidance is highly commendable, which is often cited as extraordinary leadership. For the entire north eastern states Assam has always played elder siblings role in bonding a United northeast. Thus we look upon for greater role and responsibilities in transforming northeast as per our Prime Minister vision of “Act East” policy,” he stated.
Addressing the beef ban, Shullai acknowledged the cultural diversity of the northeast, where food habits are deeply rooted in indigenous traditions. “As you are aware the northeast consists of various tribes and indigenous people whose food habits are in line with our culture and we the people are not against any religion nor do we want to hurt any religious sentiments. However the recent ban of beef in Assam has caused a stir, in our state and has been used by our opposition parties to give it a direction that it is the hidden agenda of the NDA to ban beef in the entire country. Although it has been repeatedly clarified by central leaders that food habit is a state subject, opposition parties have played an evil role in spreading wrong information among the indigenous communities of the state and region,” Shullai wrote.
The MLA also highlighted the practical challenges faced by Meghalaya due to the ban, particularly during the festive season of Christmas and New Year. He noted that Meghalaya relies on Assam for road connectivity and imports approximately 60% of its beef supply from other states.
“The beef ban in Assam has created concern among the residents of Meghalaya for a hike in beef prices due to this ban considering the festive season Christmas and New year in the state. The local legitimate bovine traders have repeatedly submitted their grievances regarding bringing the bovine animals from other states to Meghalaya for legitimate business, agriculture and allied purposes. Meghalaya being a landlocked state has road connectivity to other states only through Assam. The local people are predominantly engaged in agriculture and allied activities, including cattle rearing, dairy farming, organic farming and other livestock related economic activities. The local bovine animals traders are already suffering due to section 7(1), (i), (ii) and (7) of the Assam cattle preservation act 2021,” he pointed out.
“Sir it is a well known fact that beef is one of the main staple food of the people of the state and about 60% of the beef requirements in the state is met through import from other states. So on behalf of the people of Meghalaya, I would like to request your kind intervention in smooth flow of transportation of bovine animals to the state of Meghalaya for traders and vehicles having valid documents provided by the state authority,” Shullai said.
The BJP MLA requested Dr. Sarma’s intervention to ensure the smooth flow of transportation of bovine animals to Meghalaya for traders with valid documents issued by state authorities. He also emphasized that his concerns were solely focused on the food habits of Meghalaya’s indigenous people and had no connection with religious sentiments.
“All the points made above are made keeping in view of the food habits of the indigenous people of Meghalaya and it has nothing to do with the religious sentiments of any community and the people here are not against the religious belief of any community and we highly respect the culture and traditions of others. You are a role model for all the political leaders across the northeast and we do hope that you continue to deliver with your various developmental activities for Assam and other North-eastern states with a broader regional perspective,” the letter stated.