Sat Dec 07 09:05:43 UTC 2024: ## Meghalaya BJP MLA Condemns Assam’s Beef Ban, Calls for Stricter Drug Control

**GUWAHATI, December 7, 2024** – A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Meghalaya, Sanbor Shullai, has openly criticized the Assam government’s recent ban on beef in hotels and restaurants. Shullai, representing South Shillong, stated the ban contradicts the Indian Constitution and individual freedoms. He cited his own consumption of dog meat as an example of personal dietary choices, emphasizing that Meghalaya residents should have the same freedom regarding beef consumption. He plans to send a letter condemning the ban to the BJP’s central leadership and Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma.

This follows a similar condemnation from Kerala BJP vice-president Major Ravi. The Assam ban, stemming from an amendment to the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, prohibits beef sales in areas with Hindu, Jain, or Sikh majorities, and within 5km of religious sites. This contrasts with an incident in September where Meghalaya denied landing rights to a chartered flight carrying members of a right-wing organization planning an anti-cow slaughter rally.

Beyond the beef ban, Shullai also urged for stricter measures against drug trafficking in Meghalaya. He called for thorough vehicle checks at state borders, including those belonging to high-ranking officials, citing the involvement of police and armed forces personnel in past drug trafficking cases. Meghalaya police data reveals that ₹223 crore worth of narcotics were seized between 2019 and September 2023, with significant seizures in Ri-Bhoi district, a key entry point from Assam.

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