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The Tripura High Court today issued notice to the Union of India, State Government of Tripura, DGP Tripura, all District Magistrates of Tripura, Transport Department, Special Secretary, Border Management and others in a plea seeking urgent relief against illegal cattle markets running across the state, allegedly facilitating illegal transportation, cruelty on and smuggling of cattle to Bangladesh.

Filed through Gau Gyan Foundation, the plea states that though these cattle markets are meant to help farmers in buying, selling and exchange of cattle, the livestock is subjected to cruelty and is being smuggled to neighboring country to meet their exorbitant beef demands.

Aggrieved by the blunt operation of huge number of illegal cattle markets, in contravention on the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Market Rules), 2017 and various other related laws in place, the petitioners have alleged complete inaction by the authorities to take necessary legal action.

It is further alleged that the respondent authorities have at times either refused to entertain the complaints of the petitioner or have failed to take any action against the culprits.

"Shockingly, in some cases these authorities stand by the sides of the wrongdoers instead of registering an offence against them", the petition states.

It is also the case of the petitioners that these cattle markets do not provide basic facilities like water, fodder, shed, medical facilities, which is in complete contravention of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 which provide for various checks and balances to ensure welfare of animals in livestock markets as well as mechanisms to curb their smuggling. 

In this background, it is sought that a 'District Animal Market Monitoring Committee' be formed as per Rule 3 and 4 of Regulation of Livestock Markets Rules of 2017 and a State Animal Welfare Board' may be formed for proper implementation of such rules.

A direction is further sought to the respondents to submit records and reports relating to the investigation and action taken by authorities against such illegal livestock markets.

Furthermore, the petition seeks examination of data of livestock markets from the last five years on the number of cattle sold, purchased, incoming, outgoing, details of buyers, destination of cattle traded, etc.

Cause Title: Gau Gyan Foundation vs Union of India & Ors