Mamata warns crackdown on cow vigilantes, smugglers

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday took a strong stand against cattle smuggling, directing the police to catch the offenders.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee (File|PTI)
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee (File|PTI)

KOLKATA: A day after terming the Centre’s cow slaughter ban as unconstitutional, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday promised stringent action against anyone who tries to enforce beef-ban in any form in the State.

Speaking at an administrative review meeting with officials and ministers at Barrackpore here on Tuesday, the Trinamool Congress supremo reiterated that regulation of livestock markets was a State subject under concurrent list and the Centre has no say in it.

“Be very clear. No law on livestock markets is in effect until our Legislature passes it, which we have not. So, this new central law is not applicable in West Bengal. Hence, if anyone tries to enforce anything and create problems on the streets, take very stringent action against them. Show them no mercy,” she told police officials present at the meeting.

“All Hindus and Muslims present here have to make effort to ensure that Ramzan passes peacefully. I will not tolerate any mischief-mongering,” she added.

On the other hand, she also called for a total stop on cow-smuggling to Bangladesh through the fenced yet porous international border.

“No cow will be smuggled from West Bengal to Bangladesh. I want an absolute halt in cow smuggling through the international border to Bangladesh. Take all necessary measures to stop it,” she told the officials of the border districts, especially North 24 Parganas, Coochbehar, Malda and Uttar Dinajpur.

Besides, she also called out to several TMC leaders who are known for their factional fights and asked them to resolve their problems amicably so that their differences do not come in the way of administration.

Banerjee also pulled up police officials for not reigning-in realty mafia who were causing harm to the State’s industries for their petty interests.

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