Published 19:11 IST, July 3rd 2020
Nagaland government bans sale of dog meat after netizens rally cause
Nagaland government has decided to ban the commercial import and trading of dogs and dog markets and also the sale of the meat, both cooked and uncooked
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The Nagaland government has decided to ban the commercial import and trading of dogs and dog markets and also the sale of the meat, both cooked and uncooked, a senior state official said on Friday.
In a tweet, state Chief Secretary, Temjen Toy, announced the decision and appreciated the "wise decision" taken by the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Neiphu Rio. He also tagged BJP MP Maneka Gandhi, an avowed animal rights activist, in his tweet.
The State Government has decided to ban commercial import and trading of dogs and dog markets and also the sale of dog meat, both cooked and uncooked. Appreciate the wise decision taken by the State’s Cabinet @Manekagandhibjp @Neiphiu_Rio
— Temjen Toy (@temjentoy) July 3, 2020
Demands from netizens
The decision comes in the wake of the image of dogs being sold at Dimapur markets surfaced online on social media, causing an outcry. Recently, Pritish Nandy, a prominent poet, and former Rajya Sabha MP, took to Twitter, appealing to his followers to join a movement to ban the sale and consumption of dog meat in Nagaland markets.
He asked people to send an email to the Nagaland Government demanding a ban on dog markets, dog restaurants, and smuggling of dogs into the state. He called consumption of dog meat "inhuman" and "illegal".
This is urgent. You can help make history by sending an email tonight to csngl@nic.in saying Nagaland must stop dog markets, dog restaurants and smuggling of dogs into the state. Eating dog meat is inhuman, not just illegal. The issue comes before the cabinet tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/4Bv42EXuYN
— Pritish Nandy (@PritishNandy) July 1, 2020
Netizens took up the initiative and made the cause viral on social media.
We thank you all for your Immense support! pic.twitter.com/fJnIQRmtKI
— People For Animals India (@pfaindia) July 3, 2020
Dog meat is widely consumed in parts of the North East and there are no formal laws to keep a check on the dog meat market. There are also no laws about consuming rabbits and monkeys.
19:11 IST, July 3rd 2020